What does quangocracy mean?
A quangocracy refers to a system of government in which power is held by quasi-autonomous organizations, rather than directly by the government. This term is often used to describe the UK's system of quangoes, or non-departmental public bodies, which have been criticized for lacking accountability and transparency. The quangocracy has led to confusion about who is responsible for certain public services, and has been accused of being unresponsive to the needs of citizens. Despite these criticisms, the quangocracy remains an important part of the UK's system of government.
nounA system of government where power is held by quasi-autonomous organizations, rather than directly by the government.
- A system of government where power is held by quasi-autonomous organizations
"The quangocracy has been criticized for lacking accountability and transparency."
"The UK's quangocracy has been criticized for lacking accountability."
"The quangocracy has led to confusion about who is responsible for certain public services."
countable
"The country has multiple quangocracies operating in different sectors."
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of quangocracy
The term 'quangocracy' is derived from the word 'quango', which refers to a quasi-autonomous non-governmental organization. The suffix '-cracy' is used to indicate a system of government or rule. The term 'quangocracy' has been in use since the 1970s, and is primarily used in the UK to describe the system of government through quasi-autonomous organizations.
How quangocracy is actually used
This term is often used pejoratively to imply a lack of accountability or democratic oversight.