Kleptocracy

I heard a new term a few weeks ago:  kleptocracy.  Probably it's a recent creation, but perhaps not.

 
You may recognize the component parts, and can guess at its meaning.  We've heard chronic shoplifters dubbed as "kleptomaniacs."  So there's an idea that "klepto" has to do with thievery and stealing.  And we've lived in a democracy all our lives.  A hazy conception presents itself that "-cracy" is somehow related to government.

Wikipedia's dictionary confirms these concepts:  "Klepto" - "representing a combining form of Ancient Greek kleptos "thief" and klepto "steal."  Then, "-cracy" - Ancient Greek kratos "power, rule."  We deduce that kleptocracy must have something to do with people in power who steal.  Wiktionary gives this meaning for kleptocracy:  "A corrupt and dishonest government characterized by greed."  Hmmm.  Since I have promised to keep this blog politics-free, I won't comment on this.  But I thought it a novel and possibly useful term.

Yours for expanded vocabulary,
Hester