Agency Dictionary
Technocrat
nounPronunciation: /ˈtɛk.nə.kræt/
In Portuguese: Tecnocrata
Society & Politics
Business & OrganizationsWhat does “Technocrat” mean?
An exponent of technocracy, or an expert whose authority derives from technical or managerial proficiency rather than democratic mandate.
Etymology
A back-formation from technocracy, itself composed of Greek tekhnē, "art, skill, craft", and kratos, "power, rule". A technocrat is a person who governs or influences decisions by virtue of technical expertise rather than democratic mandate. The word appeared in the early twentieth century alongside proposals for government by engineers and scientists.
Synonyms
- expert
- specialist
Often confused with
- bureaucrat
- A bureaucrat administers rules within an existing system; a technocrat shapes decisions based on technical or scientific expertise.
Word family
- technocracy
- technocratic
Usage examples
It’s enticing to think that many of the bizarre things done today by demagogues (a word that curiously resembles the Demogorgons from Stranger Things) and technocrats come from mere ignorance.
Source editions
Where this entry comes from in the Agency editorial.
Words of the same theme
- Stigmanoun
- A mark of social disgrace, shame, or prejudice associated with a particular circumstance, trait, or behavior.
- stakeholdernoun
- A person or group with an interest in a project or an organization and affected by its results, such as clients, managers, investors or users.
- collective consciousnessnoun
- The set of beliefs, ideas and feelings shared by the members of a society, which exists beyond any single person. By extension, what a community knows and repeats in common.
- Agoranoun
- A public open space in ancient Greek cities used for assemblies, commercial markets, and philosophical dialogue.
- Allegiancenoun
- Loyalty, commitment, or devoted obligation felt by an individual toward a nation, cause, sovereign, or athletic club. It creates emotional cohesion and enduring solidarity across social communities.
- asynchronousadjective
- Not occurring at the same time or coordinated simultaneously, describing workflows or interactions handled independently across time.
- baronnoun
- A member of the aristocracy, or an influential magnate exercising commanding power in a specific industry.
- Baselinenoun
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- Benefactornoun
- A person who supports, protects, or assists another individual through resources, rank, or mentorship.
- Bottlenecknoun
- A point of congestion or obstruction that impedes progress or restricts flow in a production or organizational system.
- Byproductnoun
- A secondary, often unexpected result or incidental creation derived from an ongoing process or effort.
- Clausenoun
- A distinct article or stipulation in a formal treaty, bill, or legal contract addressing a specific condition or obligation.
Also from these editions: terms
- Alchemistnoun
- A practitioner of alchemy, seeking to transmute base metals into noble elements and discover a universal cure.
- Ambiguitynoun
- The quality of being open to more than one interpretation; inexactness or uncertainty of meaning.
- Bombasticadjective
- High-sounding, pompous, or inflated in speech or style with little genuine substance or humility.
- Decorumnoun
- Behavior in keeping with good taste, propriety, and established standards of dignity.
- Demagoguenoun
- A political leader who seeks support by appealing to popular desires and prejudices rather than rational argument.
- Elixirnoun
- A magical or medicinal potion believed capable of curing illnesses or conferring exceptional vitality.
- Epiphanynoun
- A moment of sudden and profound intuitive comprehension, clarity, or essential insight.
- Placebonoun
- A medically ineffectual treatment or substance designed to deceive the recipient, often used as a control in scientific trials.
- Poisonnoun
- A substance that causes death or severe physical harm when introduced into or absorbed by a living organism.
- Potionnoun
- A liquid concoction endowed with purported medicinal, magical, toxic, or transformative powers.
- Remedynoun
- A medicine, treatment, or therapy that cures a disease, relieves physical suffering, or rectifies a systemic flaw.
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