ethnocracy

[ eth-nok-ruh-see ]

noun

1. government controlled by the dominant ethnic group, or by two or more distinct ethnic groups, each representing only its own interests: .

   Some believe the country's ethnocracy is responsible for the atmosphere of discontent and division

2. a nation, state, or community in which political power is distributed according to ethnic or racial affiliation:

   The country would remain an ethnocracy until a fully democratic system was instituted.

Word History and Origins

Origin of ethnocracy¹

First recorded in 1905–10; ethno- ( def ) + -cracy ( def )