misgoverning
Leading a nation badly
Misgoverning is governing badly—through incompetence, corruption, or neglect of the public good.
The word implies failure of leadership rather than mere policy disagreement: The dynasty fell after decades of misgoverning.
A misgoverning regime may be tyrannical, chaotic, or simply ineffective.
Corrupt payment for influence
- embezzlementFraudulent taking of entrusted assets
- graftIllicit political gain
- kickbacksIllegal return payments
- extortionObtaining through threats
cronyism · nepotism · kleptocracy · money laundering · fraud · looting · racketeering · patronage
Incompetent handling of responsibilities
- ineptitudeLack of ability
- bunglingMishandling through incompetence
- dysfunctionAbnormal or unhealthy operation
- disorganizationAbsence of systematic arrangement
ineffectiveness · blundering · fumbling · mishandling · poor judgment · shortsightedness · ill-conceived · botched
Absolute one-person rule
- dictatorshipUnchecked single-ruler government
- autocracyRule by one
- oppressionUnjust exercise of power
- totalitarianismState controls everything absolutely
authoritarianism · repression · subjugation · domination · coercion · intimidation · iron fist · junta
Bureaucratic obstacles to action
- inefficiencySuboptimal use of resources
- stagnationAbsence of flow or progress
- gridlockComplete mutual obstruction
- bottleneckConstriction limiting throughput
delays · bloat · overregulation · procedural · paperwork · sluggish · unresponsive · sclerotic
Abandonment of duty
- irresponsibilityFailure to meet obligations
- inattentionLack of focus
- disregardWillful lack of attention
- abandonmentAct of leaving permanently
indifference · apathy · nonfeasance · unresponsiveness · detachment · absentee · hands-off · unaccountable
bribery
Corrupt payment for influence
- embezzlementFraudulent taking of entrusted assets
- graftIllicit political gain
- kickbacksIllegal return payments
extortion · cronyism · nepotism · kleptocracy · money laundering · fraud · looting · racketeering · patronage · self-dealing
mismanagement
Incompetent handling of responsibilities
- ineptitudeLack of ability
- bunglingMishandling through incompetence
- dysfunctionAbnormal or unhealthy operation
disorganization · ineffectiveness · blundering · fumbling · mishandling · poor judgment · shortsightedness · ill-conceived · botched · amateurish
despotism
Absolute one-person rule
- dictatorshipUnchecked single-ruler government
- autocracyRule by one
- oppressionUnjust exercise of power
totalitarianism · authoritarianism · repression · subjugation · domination · coercion · intimidation · iron fist · junta · martial law
red tape
Bureaucratic obstacles to action
- inefficiencySuboptimal use of resources
- stagnationAbsence of flow or progress
- gridlockComplete mutual obstruction
bottleneck · delays · bloat · overregulation · procedural · paperwork · sluggish · unresponsive · sclerotic · ossified
dereliction
Abandonment of duty
- irresponsibilityFailure to meet obligations
- inattentionLack of focus
- disregardWillful lack of attention
abandonment · indifference · apathy · nonfeasance · unresponsiveness · detachment · absentee · hands-off · unaccountable · out of touch
govern, government, governor, governing, governed, governance, governs, governess, governmental