Geniocracy

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. A form of government in which those with superior intelligence are in charge
2. A political system that places great emphasis on the wisdom and intellect of its leaders
3. A system where power is held by individuals judged to have the highest intellectual capabilities

Etymology: Geniocracy is a modern coinage built from two familiar parts: "genius", meaning exceptional intellectual ability, and the suffix "-cracy", from Greek "kratia", meaning rule or power. The pattern is the same as in "democracy" (rule by the people) or "aristocracy" (rule by the best), so the word simply names government by those judged to be the most intellectually gifted. Because the word is a deliberate formation from English and Greek elements rather than something inherited from an older language, its meaning is transparent: a "genius" is someone of outstanding mind, and "-cracy" supplies the idea of governance. No older sense has shifted or been lost along the way.