kleptocracy

Noun

kleptocracy (plural kleptocracies)

1. A corrupt and dishonest government or society characterised by theft and greed.
   • Quevedo, no ordinary person, is very amusing. His Visions of Hell in particular, though of a very different kind from Dante's, are more edifying. But our business at present is with his "History of Paul the Spanish Sharper, the Pattern of Rogues and Mirror of Vagabonds." We do not know that he...1819 December 29, Leigh Hunt, “THIEVES, ANCIENT AND MODERN”, in The Indicator, number 12, page 95
   • WikiLeaks did not cause these uprisings but it certainly informed them. The dispatches revealed details of corruption and kleptocracy that many Tunisians suspected, but could not prove, and would cite as they took to the streets.2013 June 7, Gary Younge, “Hypocrisy lies at heart of Manning prosecution”, in The Guardian Weekly, volume 188, number 26, page 18

   Synonyms:

   corruptocracy, kleptarchy