Meaning of chumocracy | Babel Free

Definitions

A form of oligarchy: government characterised by nepotism and the frequent appointment to public office of friends or those of similar social background to those in power.

UK, countable, uncountable

Examples

“How thrilling it would have been[…] if [Sadiq] Khan had denounced the [Thames garden] bridge in every way: […] as a symbol of the chummery – the chumocracy, even – that so offends the democratic and egalitarian traditions he is proud to represent.”

“The sums are so vast, the secrecy so shocking, that “chumocracy” doesn’t begin to capture what Britain has become – redolent as we are of banana republics, the Russian oligarchy and failed states.”

“Mr Hancock secretly appointed her [Gina Coladangelo] to his department as an unpaid adviser on a six-month contract in March last year. It sparked claims of a “chumocracy” when it became public knowledge in November.”

CEFR level