epistocracy
English edit
Alternative forms edit
Etymology edit
From Ancient Greek ἐπιστήμη (epistḗmē, “knowledge”) + suffix -κρατία (-kratía), from κράτος (krátos, “power, rule”).
Pronunciation edit
Noun edit
epistocracy (countable and uncountable, plural epistocracies)
- (uncountable) Rule by citizens with political knowledge, or a proposed political system which concentrates political power in citizens according to their knowledge.
- 2016, “Can Epistocracy, or knowledge-based voting, fix the problems with democracy?”, in Los Angeles Times:
- So maybe it’s time to consider an alternative to democracy called epistocracy. In a democracy, every citizen gets an equal right to vote. In an epistocracy, voting power is widespread, but votes are weighted: More knowledgeable citizens’ votes count more.
- (countable) A government run by citizens with political knowledge.