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bossism

bossism

9.6
One person controls a political group and uses power for personal gain
  • noun
  • /ˈbɔsɪzəm/
  • Jargon
translation icon : jefatura
  • The recent election highlighted the dangers of bossism in local government, where one leader holds too much power.

Examples

  • The fact that alcohol became so closely linked with local electioneering is evidence of not only bossism and machine politics but also the need to attract votes.

    Academic text (2002)
  • The reformers sought to eliminate bossism from the political system to ensure fair representation for all citizens.

  • His administration was often criticized for promoting bossism, as key decisions were made solely by him without input from others.

Synonyms

domination
vsbossism
102 4.7

To have power or control over other people

is control by a single leader inside an organization for personal gain
dominance
vsbossism
81 5.1

Power and control over other people or groups

is used for a leader's control within a political group for personal gain
despotism
vsbossism
  • Formal
7 9.6

A government where one person or group has all power and rules cruelly

focuses on a leader's manipulative control for personal gain
overmastering
vsbossism
  • Formal
8.9

The act of taking complete control of a person or thing

describes established leader control used to manipulate and benefit personally

How Dominant

tyranny
109 6.7
autocracy
5 8.2
bossism
  • Jargon
9.6
clientelism
  • Specialized
9.5
self-rule
8 5.8
pluralism
11 7.2

Surface Forms

bossism singular
bossisms plural

Morphology

bossism = boss (transparent) = boss + ism

Formed by the noun 'boss' plus the productive suffix '-ism' denoting a system/practice, so learners who know 'boss' and '-ism' can infer the meaning.

Etymology

Bossism comes from boss, which traces back to the Dutch word 'baas' meaning 'master', plus the ending -ism meaning 'system' or 'practice', as in heroism. So bossism is the system where one powerful boss controls a group and often uses their power for personal gain.