lotacracy

English

Etymology

From Urdu لوٹاکریسی, from the Urdu word (lota), a water pot with a shape such that it falls over very easily. The term was coined in Pakistan in the early 1990s to describe how Pakistani politicians had a tendency to switch loyalties frequently for personal gain.

Noun

lotacracy (plural lotacracies)

1. A government in which politicians have a tendency to switch loyalties frequently for personal gain.
   • 2005 — Raja Riaz, The Nation, June 10

     The opposition members chanted slogans against the turncoats and termed the speaker’s attitude as partial. To them the speaker was promoting 'lotacracy' in the province, prompting them to chant 'go Speaker go', and 'lota speaker'.