What does kleptocracy mean?
Kleptocracy is a noun meaning a government or political system in which those in power gain and maintain authority through corruption, theft, fraud, or the exploitation of public resources. The word combines “klepto-,” relating to theft, with “-cracy,” meaning rule or government. It is commonly applied to authoritarian or corrupt regimes, as well as to political elites and business interests accused of controlling the state for private benefit. Unlike a general accusation that officials are dishonest, the concept of kleptocracy suggests that corruption is structural: theft and exploitation help determine who governs and how the country is run. The term is strongly evaluative and commonly appears in political reporting, human-rights discussions, and anti-corruption arguments. It is also used more broadly to characterize systems in which public offices and public wealth are treated as sources of personal enrichment.
nounA government or political system in which power is held by people who obtained their positions through corruption, theft, or other illicit means. The term is often used to describe regimes in which rulers exploit public resources for personal enrichment.
- A government or political system ruled by people who use corruption or theft to acquire and maintain power.
"The investigation accused the regime of being a kleptocracy in which public funds were diverted to the ruling family."
"The report described the country as a kleptocracy controlled by business interests and political bosses."
"Civil-rights organizers used the term to condemn kleptocratic officials who diverted public money into private accounts."
The plural is used when referring to multiple corrupt systems of government or to the historical instances of kleptocracy.
"The study compared the kleptocracies of several twentieth-century regimes."
A kleptocracy is a system in which theft is not merely an occasional scandal but a way of governing.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of kleptocracy
The word was formed in the early 20th century from Greek kleptēs, meaning “thief,” and -kratia, a combining form meaning “rule” or “government.” The suffix reflects the same Greek root found in democracy, autocracy, and aristocracy. The compound follows established political terminology while specifying a system characterized by theft or corruption.
Related word forms
How kleptocracy is actually used
This is a strongly critical political term, usually used for governments, regimes, or political elites accused of systematic corruption. It is more specific and more damning than simply saying that a government is corrupt, because it presents illicit acquisition and exploitation of power as organizing features of the system.