Critarchy

Critarchy

Meaning: A government ruled by judges.
Instead of kings, presidents, or elected officials making the laws, the judges themselves hold the power and run the country.

Pronounced: _KRIT-ahr-kee_
From Greek _krites_ = "judge" + _archein_ = "to rule"

Sentence:
In a critarchy, major policy decisions would be made in courtrooms rather than in parliament.

Other examples:
- Ancient Israel, during the time of the Judges, is often cited as an example of a critarchy.
- Some people argue that too much power for the Supreme Court could lead a democracy toward critarchy.

Quick way to remember:
Critarchy = Critic/Judge + archy = rule. "Rule by judges"

This is a pretty rare word. You’ll mostly see it in politics and history discussions.