Government Words

In a pure democracy, you have government by the

people—all the people. But in an _____, you have

government by a few. _____ may be hidden under

another form of government or structure, as when a

social class, a clique, or a group of cronies helps each

other gain and retain power.

• oligarchy

• plutocracy

• totalitarianism

• meritocracy

A _____ is rule by the rich and powerful. It’s another

power structure that is often hidden beneath a more

benign type of rule, as when the wealthiest people

gain the controlling power in a democracy or republic.

(This word is almost always used in a

pejorative or negative sense.)

• oligarchy

• plutocracy

• meritocracy

• totalitarianism

As its name suggests, this form of government exercises

complete control over nearly all facets of its citizens’

lives—their social and economic behavior surely, but

often much more (e.g., education, religion, speech).

• plutocracy

• totalitarianism

• meritocracy

• stratocracy

In theory at least, power in a _____ is shared by the

people who deserve it. An institution of higher learning

is the most common example of such a system.

• meritocracy

• totalitarianism

• stratocracy

• gerontocracy

In this form of government, leaders of the armed forces

are in control of the government (often following a military takeover or coup).

• stratocracy

• meritocracy

• gerontocracy

• nepotism

In a _____, the power is retained by the oldest

people (in most cases, old men). The word probably

comes from the Greek terms for “old man” and “rule.”

• gerontocracy

• nepotism

• anarchy

• ochlocracy

This noun refers to favoritism shown to relatives in

practices such as business matters. While it comes

from the Latin word for “nephew,” it now refers to any

family member.

• nepotism

• anarchy

• ochlocracy

• kakistocracy

Confusion takes a political turn with this word. From

the Greek for “without a ruler,” _____ is a noun that

means “the absence of any form of political authority”

or a more general “absence of order or control.”

• anarchy

• ochlocracy

• kakistocracy

• oligarchy

When all else fails, and no organized group can gain

power, the result may be _____—rule by mobs.

• ochlocracy

• kakistocracy

• plutocracy

• oligarchy

We’ll end this list with two interesting but unofficial

words about government. Kakistocracy is government

by the worst people, and _____ describes a

government in which control has been stolen or gained

illegitimately through ballot-rigging or other means.

• kleptocracy

• kakistocracy

• ochlocracy

• anarchy