Dictionary

chumocracy en · NOUN

Etymology

From chum + -ocracy.

Meanings

1. (UK, countable, uncountable) 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.
   • 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. 2016 May 21, Ian Jack, “This garden bridge is an oddity born of the chumocracy”, in The Guardian:
   • 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. 2021 June 25, Rob Pattinson, Harry Cole, “Matt Hancock's secret affair with aide exposed after office snogs during Covid”, in The Sun:
   • 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. 2021 February 22, Polly Toynbee, “The Covid contracts furore is no surprise – Britain has long been a chumocracy”, in The Guardian:

Forms

Relateds

chummery