kleptocrat
State-looting autocrat
A kleptocrat is a ruler who uses political power to steal from the people they govern—siphoning public funds, accepting bribes, and enriching themselves and their allies at the nation's expense.
The term applies to dictators and corrupt officials who treat state resources as personal wealth: The kleptocrat's Swiss bank accounts held billions while his country starved.
Kleptocracy is rule by such thieves.
Fraudulent taking of entrusted assets
- briberyCorrupt payment for influence
- money launderingDisguising criminal proceeds' origins
- graftIllicit political gain
- kickbacksIllegal return payments
misappropriation · extortion · fraud · malfeasance · offshore accounts · shell companies · slush fund · state capture
Ruler with absolute power
- dictatorRuler with total control
- oligarchMember of small ruling class
- strongmanPowerful lifter or despot
- warlordMilitary ruler by force
generalissimo · potentate · tyrant · ruling elite · crime boss · puppet master · Mobutu · Marcos
Rule by few
- dictatorshipUnchecked single-ruler government
- regimeSystem of governance
- authoritarianismConcentrated, unchecked governmental power
- despotismAbsolute one-person rule
totalitarianism · junta · strongman · patronage · cronyism · nepotism · rubber stamp · puppet government
Unjust exercise of power
- repressionUnconscious blocking of thoughts
- human rights abusesViolations of fundamental freedoms
- persecutionSystematic mistreatment of groups
- intimidationDeliberate fear-inducing pressure
coercion · subjugation · censorship · political prisoners · brutality · iron fist · fear · suppression
Foreign financial account services
- Swiss accountsConfidential foreign banking arrangements
- ill-gotten gainsWealth obtained dishonestly
- hidden wealthAssets kept secret
- mansionsLarge, stately houses
yachts · private jets · real estate · laundered money · capital flight · blood money · dirty money
embezzlement
Fraudulent taking of entrusted assets
- briberyCorrupt payment for influence
- money launderingDisguising criminal proceeds' origins
- graftIllicit political gain
kickbacks · misappropriation · extortion · fraud · malfeasance · offshore accounts · shell companies · slush fund · state capture · looting
despot
Ruler with absolute power
- dictatorRuler with total control
- oligarchMember of small ruling class
- strongmanPowerful lifter or despot
warlord · generalissimo · potentate · tyrant · ruling elite · crime boss · puppet master · Mobutu · Marcos · Suharto
oligarchy
Rule by few
- dictatorshipUnchecked single-ruler government
- regimeSystem of governance
- authoritarianismConcentrated, unchecked governmental power
despotism · totalitarianism · junta · strongman · patronage · cronyism · nepotism · rubber stamp · puppet government · deep state
oppression
Unjust exercise of power
- repressionUnconscious blocking of thoughts
- human rights abusesViolations of fundamental freedoms
- persecutionSystematic mistreatment of groups
intimidation · coercion · subjugation · censorship · political prisoners · brutality · iron fist · fear · suppression · police state
offshore banking
Foreign financial account services
- Swiss accountsConfidential foreign banking arrangements
- ill-gotten gainsWealth obtained dishonestly
- hidden wealthAssets kept secret
mansions · yachts · private jets · real estate · laundered money · capital flight · blood money · dirty money
- Crookscrook, swindler, fraudster, embezzler, con artist
- autocratsdespot, dictator, tyrant, strongman, authoritarian
kleptocratpublic servant
Government worker serving citizens
statesman · servant leader · reformer · philosopher king · constitutional monarch
kleptocratincorruptible
Impossible to morally compromise
Nelson Mandela · benefactor · philanthropist · altruist · honest broker