image from
[kak-uh-stok-ruh-see]
[JB: think of the French word, "caca."]
Word Origin
noun, plural kak·is·toc·ra·cies.
government by the worst persons; a form of government in which the worst persons are in power.
Origin of kakistocracy
1820–30; < Greek kákisto(s ), superlative of kakós bad + -cracy Related forms ka·kis·to·crat·i·cal [kuh -kis-t uh- krat -i-k uh l] /kəˌkɪs təˈkræt ɪ kəl/ , adjective Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Word Origin and History for kakistocracy n.
1829, "government by the worst element of a society," coined on analogy of its opposite, aristocracy, from Greek kakistos "worst," superlative of kakos "bad" (which perhaps is related to the general IE word for "defecate;" see caco-) + -cracy. Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
JB: Word cited in a recent column by Ross Douthat, "Under Trump, the Swamp Is Draining: A grifter president has inspired an elite housecleaning," The New York Times. Below image from this article.
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