Pedantocracies

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. A system of governance marked by the excessive influence of academic or scholarly authority and prioritization of strict adherence to rules over practical considerations
2. A political structure where those with advanced degrees or academic credentials hold power, often emphasizing theoretical knowledge over practical experience
3. A rule by individuals who exhibit a rigid adherence to scholarly details and prioritize intellectualism, often at the expense of common sense or real-world application

Etymology: Pedantocracy is a plain compound: "pedant" joined to the suffix "-ocracy", the same ending found in "democracy" and "aristocracy", which comes from Greek "kratia" meaning rule or power. Put together, the word describes a system in which pedants hold the reins of government, with academics or scholars in charge rather than elected officials or nobles. The first half carries the sense of the word. "Pedant" points to someone who fixates on learning, rules and fine detail, often for show, so a pedantocracy is a government run by people whose main habit is precise, bookish correctness. The coinage follows the same pattern as older political labels, swapping in a new first element to name a new kind of rule. The plural "pedantocracies" simply counts more than one such system, as with any noun ending in "-cy" that takes "-cies".