epistocracy

English

Alternative forms

• epistemocracy

Etymology

From Ancient Greek ἐπιστήμη (epistḗmē, “knowledge”) + suffix -κρατία (-kratía), from κράτος (krátos, “power, rule”).

Pronunciation

• (US) IPA^(key): /ˌɛpɪˈstɑkɹəsi/

  • Audio (US)

    (file)

Noun

epistocracy (countable and uncountable, plural epistocracies)

1. (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.

2. (countable) A government run by citizens with political knowledge.

Related terms

• epistocrat
• epistocratic