Skip to main content
Glite Dictionary
rise of idiocracy

rise of idiocracy

9.6
A growing trend of foolish leaders and bad decisions in a society
  • noun
  • /raɪz əv ɪdiˈɒkrəsi/
  • Offensive
: auge de la idiocracia
  • The film satirized the rise of idiocracy in a future society.

Examples

  • Some observers believe the rise of idiocracy is threatening effective governance worldwide.

  • Many believe the rise of idiocracy is due to social media.

  • Social commentators argue that the rise of idiocracy can be seen in current political trends.

  • The rise of idiocracy in politics is alarming.

  • Social commentators argue that the rise of idiocracy can be seen in current political trends.

  • Some observers believe the rise of idiocracy is threatening effective governance worldwide.

  • The rise of idiocracy in politics reflects a dangerous trend in decision-making.

Synonyms

idiocracy
vsrise of idiocracy
  • Offensive
2 9.1

A society or government where foolishness and lack of intelligence are common

refers to the growing emergence of that foolish rule rather than its steady existence
kakistocracy
vsrise of idiocracy
  • Offensive
1 9.9

A government run by the least able and most dishonest people

shows the increase of foolish leadership rather than rule by the very worst people
misgovernance
vsrise of idiocracy
1 8.9

Government that works badly and causes problems for people

focuses on the growing dominance of foolish decision making rather than general poor governance

Surface Forms

rise of idiocracy singular
rises of idiocracy plural

Morphology

rise + of + idiocracy

The noun phrase is compositionally transparent: 'rise' (an increase) + 'of' + 'idiocracy' (government by foolishness) yields an increase in idiocratic governance that a learner can infer from the parts. The 'rise of X' pattern is a common, regular possessive/partitive construction across languages, so a B1 learner who knows the constituent words should understand the meaning.

Etymology

Rise of idiocracy comes from combining rise (the idea of growing power) and idiocracy (a made-up word mixing 'idiot' and 'rule') and was made famous by a movie that showed a future where foolish people take charge. So the image of foolish people 'rising' to power explains why the phrase now means 'an increase in foolish or irrational governance'.