technocrat
technocrat Lexical Profile
technocrat Game Scores & Validity
• noun
A member of a technically skilled elite who exercises governmental, managerial, or administrative authority based on specialized scientific, economic, or engineering expertise rather than political affiliation.
"During the financial crisis, the prime minister appointed an experienced technocrat to oversee the restructuring of the central bank."
An exponent or advocate of technocracy as a system of governance.
"In the 1930s, many technocrats argued that engineers and scientists could manage the industrial economy more rationally than elected politicians."
Word Nuance & Usage
While often used neutrally in political science to describe policy experts, 'technocrat' can carry a pejorative connotation in public discourse, implying an unelected official who prioritizes cold technical efficiency over democratic accountability or human empathy.
• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
Coined in the early 20th century as a back-formation from 'technocracy', combining the Ancient Greek 'tekhnē' (art, skill, or craft) with '-kratēs' (ruler, from 'kratos', meaning power or rule).