technocracy

[ tek-nok-ruh-see ]

noun

, plural tech·noc·ra·cies

1. a theory and movement, prominent about 1932, advocating control of industrial resources, reform of financial institutions, and reorganization of the social system, based on the findings of technologists and engineers.
2. a system of government in which this theory is applied.
3. any application of this theory.

technocracy

/ ˈtɛknəˌkræt; tɛkˈnɒkrəsɪ /

noun

1. a theory or system of society according to which government is controlled by scientists, engineers, and other experts
2. a body of such experts
3. a state considered to be governed or organized according to these principles

technocracy

¹

1. The control of government and society by people with technical skills, especially engineers.

technocracy

²

1. A type of society marked by the dominant role of people with specialized technical skills, particularly engineers.

Derived Forms

• ˌtechnoˈcratic, adjective
• technocrat, noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of technocracy¹

First recorded in 1919; techno- + -cracy

Example Sentences

Lydia: As Michelle hinted at, the Democrats have become the party of officious technocracy, which makes so many things they propose sound, well, ridiculous.

From New York Times

Much of Muskism is descended from the technocracy movement that flourished in North America in the 1930s and that had as a leader Mr. Musk’s grandfather Joshua N. Haldeman, an ardent anti-communist.

From New York Times

Mr. Harris has helped wrap Mr. Biden’s unabashedly liberal agenda in a blanket of technocracy, assembling more than 500 detailed recommendations.

From New York Times

So why do the political fantasies of the technocracy continue to tantalize us?

From Salon

The action is routine, the drama tends toward the banal and sentimental, and the social symbolism of class division and technocracy, while cleverly worked out, isn’t compelling or coherent enough to tie it all together.

From New York Times