gerontocracy
Seniors hold power
Gerontocracy is government or leadership by the elderly.
The term describes societies or institutions where power concentrates among older members: The Soviet Politburo became a gerontocracy in its final decades.
It often carries a critical tone, implying that aging leaders are out of touch or resistant to change.
Rule by few
- plutocracyRule by the rich
- aristocracyRule by hereditary elite
- theocracyRule by religious authority
- autocracyRule by one
democracy · meritocracy · technocracy · monarchy · kleptocracy · bureaucracy · patriarchy · senate
Penetrating mental acuity
- experiencePractical knowledge from life
- prudenceCareful, wise judgment
- judgmentReasoned decision-making capacity
- counselExpert guidance offered
mentorship · guidance · foresight · discernment · gravitas · authority · respect · reverence
Inherited cultural legacy
- customsTraditional practices or import taxes
- ancestryFamily line of descent
- lineageDescent from progenitors
- legacyWhat's passed down
continuity · precedent · orthodoxy · status quo · conservatism · convention · ritual · protocol
Conversion to bone tissue
- calcificationMineral hardening of tissue
- rigidityState of being unbending
- inflexibilityQuality of being unbending
- inertiaResistance to altered motion
antiquated · outdated · sclerotic · entrenched · stodgy · hidebound · fossilized · moribund
Prejudice based on years lived
- generational conflictTension between age groups
- paternalismControlling others for their good
- condescensionDemeaning air of superiority
- patronizingTreating someone as inferior
glass ceiling · marginalization · disenfranchisement · sidelining · tokenism
Senior figure of authority
- seniorHigher in rank
- patriarchMale head of family
- octogenarianPerson in ninth decade
- nonagenarianPerson aged ninety-plus
centenarian · gray-haired · silver-haired · old-timer · pensioner · retiree · veteran · statesman
oligarchy
Rule by few
- plutocracyRule by the rich
- aristocracyRule by hereditary elite
- theocracyRule by religious authority
autocracy · democracy · meritocracy · technocracy · monarchy · kleptocracy · bureaucracy · patriarchy · senate · council of elders
sagacity
Penetrating mental acuity
- experiencePractical knowledge from life
- prudenceCareful, wise judgment
- judgmentReasoned decision-making capacity
counsel · mentorship · guidance · foresight · discernment · gravitas · authority · respect · reverence · veneration
heritage
Inherited cultural legacy
- customsTraditional practices or import taxes
- ancestryFamily line of descent
- lineageDescent from progenitors
legacy · continuity · precedent · orthodoxy · status quo · conservatism · convention · ritual · protocol · succession
ossification
Conversion to bone tissue
- calcificationMineral hardening of tissue
- rigidityState of being unbending
- inflexibilityQuality of being unbending
inertia · antiquated · outdated · sclerotic · entrenched · stodgy · hidebound · fossilized · moribund · decline
age discrimination
Prejudice based on years lived
- generational conflictTension between age groups
- paternalismControlling others for their good
- condescensionDemeaning air of superiority
patronizing · glass ceiling · marginalization · disenfranchisement · sidelining · tokenism
elder
Senior figure of authority
- seniorHigher in rank
- patriarchMale head of family
- octogenarianPerson in ninth decade
nonagenarian · centenarian · gray-haired · silver-haired · old-timer · pensioner · retiree · veteran · statesman · dean
- rule typesdemocracy, autocracy, oligarchy, theocracy, aristocracy
- agingaging process, aging body, biological age, aging workforce, aging parents
- governmentsdemocracy, monarchy, autocracy, oligarchy, republic
- eldersgrandfather, grandmother, grandparent, grandma, grandparents
- tribal councilselder council, village council, tribal court, peace council, war council
gerontocracymeritocracy
Advancement through demonstrated ability
technocracy · democracy · popular sovereignty · egalitarianism · representative democracy