A kakistocracy (, ) is a government run by the worst, least qualified, or most unscrupulous citizens.: 54 The word was coined as early as the seventeenth century. Peter Bowler has noted in his book that there is no word for the government run by the best citizens, and that the aristarchy may be the right term, but still, it could conceivably be a kakistocracy disguised as an aristocracy.
Etymology
The word is derived from two Greek words, kakistos (κάκιστος; worst) and kratos (κράτος; rule),
with a literal meaning of government by the worst people.
History
The earliest use of the word dates to the 17th century, in Paul Gosnold's A sermon Preached...