kleptocracies
Regimes of embezzlement
Kleptocracies are governments in which those in power exploit their positions primarily to steal from the state and enrich themselves.
The term combines the Greek words for "thief" and "rule," making it literally "rule by thieves." In a kleptocracy, corruption isn't incidental but systematic—public resources, foreign aid, and national wealth flow directly into the pockets of officials and their cronies.
Several post-Soviet states devolved into kleptocracies after independence.
Corrupt payment for influence
- embezzlementFraudulent taking of entrusted assets
- graftIllicit political gain
- kickbacksIllegal return payments
- money launderingDisguising criminal proceeds' origins
cronyism · nepotism · fraud · extortion · racketeering · misappropriation · malfeasance · collusion
Rule by one
- oligarchyRule by few
- dictatorshipUnchecked single-ruler government
- plutocracyRule by the rich
- juntaPost-coup ruling clique
regime · tyranny · totalitarianism · authoritarianism · despotism · state capture · misgovernance · maladministration
Theft during disorder
- plunderingForcible taking of goods
- pillagingForcible theft during conflict
- asset strippingSelling acquired company's valuables
- siphoningDrawing liquid through tube
skimming · pilfering · resource extraction · capital flight · wealth transfer
Unjust exercise of power
- subjugationForcing into submission
- disenfranchisementRemoval of voting rights
- inequalityUnequal distribution of resources
- impoverishmentState of extreme deprivation
deprivation · predation · extraction · resource curse · economic exploitation · wealth disparity · austerity · underdevelopment
Punitive international restrictions
- transparencyState of being see-through
- anti-corruptionOpposing abuse of office
- whistleblowerInsider who reports misconduct
- investigationFormal examination of facts
prosecution · civil society · journalism · oversight · reform · international pressure · regime change · democratization
bribery
Corrupt payment for influence
- embezzlementFraudulent taking of entrusted assets
- graftIllicit political gain
- kickbacksIllegal return payments
money laundering · cronyism · nepotism · fraud · extortion · racketeering · misappropriation · malfeasance · collusion · slush funds
autocracy
Rule by one
- oligarchyRule by few
- dictatorshipUnchecked single-ruler government
- plutocracyRule by the rich
junta · regime · tyranny · totalitarianism · authoritarianism · despotism · state capture · misgovernance · maladministration · misrule
looting
Theft during disorder
- plunderingForcible taking of goods
- pillagingForcible theft during conflict
- asset strippingSelling acquired company's valuables
siphoning · skimming · pilfering · resource extraction · capital flight · wealth transfer
oppression
Unjust exercise of power
- subjugationForcing into submission
- disenfranchisementRemoval of voting rights
- inequalityUnequal distribution of resources
impoverishment · deprivation · predation · extraction · resource curse · economic exploitation · wealth disparity · austerity · underdevelopment · brain drain
sanctions
Punitive international restrictions
- transparencyState of being see-through
- anti-corruptionOpposing abuse of office
- whistleblowerInsider who reports misconduct
investigation · prosecution · civil society · journalism · oversight · reform · international pressure · regime change · democratization
kleptocraciesmeritocracies
Systems rewarding ability
good governance · democracies · technocracies · welfare states · republics
kleptomaniac, kleptomania, kleptocracy, kleptomaniacs, kleptocratic