Ethnocrat

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. A political leader who primarily serves the interests of a specific ethnic group while holding authority in governance
2. Someone who wields political power with a focus on advancing the agenda of a particular ethnic community
3. A ruler or political figure who governs mainly to benefit a specific ethnic population

Etymology: "Ethnocrat" is a plain compound: "ethno-", from Greek "ethnos" meaning "people" or "nation", joined to "-crat", from Greek "kratos" meaning "power" or "rule", the same element found in "democrat" and "aristocrat". Put together, the word describes someone who rules or holds power on behalf of an ethnic group. The ingredients are older than the word itself. "Ethnos" and "kratos" are both classical Greek, and the "-crat" ending was productive in English political vocabulary for centuries, so the coinage follows a familiar pattern. The compound draws on these existing parts rather than naming a single person or event.