Ochlocracy

//ɒkˈlɒk.ɹə.si// noun

Definitions

Noun
  1. 1
    Mob rule; government by the masses; mobocracy.

    "Referendums are snapshots of sentiment at a given point in time. Government by referendum is government by crowd acclamation: not democracy, but ochlocracy. That is exactly why we have representative democracy. If referendums would be a poor way to decide on health and safety, air traffic control, or education, they are an exceedingly poor way to decide a matter as momentous as membership of the EU. This is and should be a matter for Parliament, taking all factors into account."

  2. 2
    a political system in which a mob is the source of control; government by the masses wordnet

Etymology

From Middle French ochlocratie, from Ancient Greek ὀχλοκρατία (okhlokratía), from ὄχλος (ókhlos, “multitude, crowd”) + κράτος (krátos, “power”). Equivalent to ochlo- + -cracy.

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