noun
- plural of gerontocracy; systems of government or societies ruled by the elderly or by a small group of old people.
Usage: formal; political term
Examples
- Some critics argue that certain governments function as gerontocracies, with power concentrated in the hands of aging leaders.
- The gerontocracies of ancient Sparta gave significant authority to councils of elders.
- Modern democracies sometimes struggle with gerontocracies when older politicians dominate key positions.
- Scholars have studied how gerontocracies affect policy decisions and innovation in government.
- The transition from gerontocracies to more inclusive leadership structures has been a focus of political reform.