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demarchy

demarchy

9.9
A system where leaders are chosen by chance instead of election
  • noun
  • /dɪˈmɑrki/
  • Specialized
translation icon : demarquía
  • In a true demarchy, citizens would be randomly selected to serve in government positions.

Examples

  • Advocates of demarchy believe it can reduce corruption by eliminating the influence of money in politics.

  • The proposal to implement demarchy sparked a lively debate among the political analysts.

  • I.e., for a form of demarchy.

    Blog text (32)

  • The leaders of my proposed BeeBeeFree Party should demand "demarchy."

    Blog text (32)

  • If their demand were the more moderate one I've made upthread—i.e., for a BBC oversight board consisting of randomly chosen subscribers (demarchy)—they would hold a winning hand.

    Blog text (32)

Antonyms

election
∞ 1.0

A formal process where people vote to choose someone for public office

appointment
  • Formal
183 2.5

An official job or position someone is given

Surface Forms

demarchy singular
demarchies plural

Morphology

demarchy = dem + archy

The components 'dem-' (people) and '-archy' (rule) transparently signal 'rule by the people', but the specific nuance of selection by lot (sortition) is not recoverable from the parts for an average learner.

Etymology

The word demarchy starts with dem- 'people' and ends with -archy 'rule', the same parts you see in democracy and monarchy. It is used for a system where leaders are chosen at random rather than by election, so you can remember it as 'people rule' with leaders picked by chance.