chumocracy

English

Etymology

From chum +‎ -ocracy.

Noun

chumocracy (countable and uncountable, plural chumocracies)

1. (chiefly UK) A form of oligarchy: government characterised by nepotism and the frequent ]appointment to public office of friends or those of similar social background to those in power.
   • 2016 May 21, Ian Jack, “This garden bridge is an oddity born of the chumocracy”, in The Guardian‎^[1]:

     How thrilling it would have been […] if [Sadiq] Khan had denounced the [Thames garden] bridge in every way: […] as a symbol of the chummery – the chumocracy, even – that so offends the democratic and egalitarian traditions he is proud to represent.

   • 2021 February 22, Polly Toynbee, “The Covid contracts furore is no surprise – Britain has long been a chumocracy”, in The Guardian‎^[2]:

     The sums are so vast, the secrecy so shocking, that “chumocracy” doesn’t begin to capture what Britain has become – redolent as we are of banana republics, the Russian oligarchy and failed states.

   • 2021 June 25, Rob Pattinson, Harry Cole, “Matt Hancock's secret affair with aide exposed after office snogs during Covid”, in The Sun‎^[3]:

     Mr Hancock secretly appointed her [Gina Coladangelo] to his department as an unpaid adviser on a six-month contract in March last year. It sparked claims of a “chumocracy” when it became public knowledge in November.

Related terms

• chummery