Definition

1. Noun:
   • A political system in which a mob is the source of control; government by the masses: "Ochlocracy" refers to a form of government where the populace, especially a large, disorderly crowd, holds power and makes decisions, often characterized by instability and the absence of law and order.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • The historian described the period of riots and street rule as a clear example of ochlocracy.
  • Many political theorists warn that pure democracy, without safeguards, can degenerate into ochlocracy.
  • The collapse of legal institutions led to a state of ochlocracy, where the loudest voices in the crowd dictated policy.

Advanced Usage

• "to descend into ochlocracy": to deteriorate into a state of mob rule.

  • The fear was that the revolution would descend into ochlocracy rather than establish a stable republic.

• "the dangers of ochlocracy": the inherent risks and instabilities of mob rule.

  • The philosopher's writings extensively detailed the dangers of ochlocracy.

Variants and Related Words

• Ochlocratic (adj): relating to or characteristic of ochlocracy.

  • The scholar analyzed the ochlocratic tendencies in the early stages of the uprising.

• Mob rule (n): a synonymous phrase for ochlocracy, emphasizing control by a disorderly crowd.

  • The city fell under mob rule after the police force disbanded.

Synonyms

• Mobocracy: government by a mob.
• Mob rule: control by a disorderly crowd.
• Anarchy: a state of disorder due to absence of authority (can be a related, though not identical, concept).

Related Idioms and Phrases

• Rule of the mob: a descriptive phrase for ochlocracy.
  • The period was not one of democracy but of the rule of the mob.

Noun

1. a political system in which a mob is the source of control; government by the masses