securocrat: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Rare / SpecialisedFormal, Critical, Political
Quick answer
What does “securocrat” mean?
A government or state official involved in security policy, especially one perceived as authoritarian or secretive.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A government or state official involved in security policy, especially one perceived as authoritarian or secretive.
A member of a powerful, unelected elite within the state who operates through secrecy and prioritises national security over civil liberties, often within intelligence, military, or policing circles.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
More established in British political vocabulary, particularly linked to post-war UK security services (MI5, MI6) and Northern Ireland policy. In American usage, it might be applied to figures in agencies like the CIA or NSA, but the term is less common.
Connotations
UK: Strongly associated with the 'deep state', Cold War secrecy, and the Troubles in Northern Ireland. US: May connote post-9/11 surveillance state and military-industrial complex figures.
Frequency
Very low frequency in both, but higher in UK political journalism and historical analysis.
Grammar
How to Use “securocrat” in a Sentence
The securocrats [VERB] that...accused of being a securocrata cabal of securocratsVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “securocrat” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- The securocrat mentality resisted the declassification of the files.
American English
- The policy had a distinct securocrat flavor, prioritizing surveillance over privacy.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used.
Academic
Used in political science, history, and critical security studies to describe unelected security elites.
Everyday
Virtually never used.
Technical
Used in political journalism and commentary as a critical label.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “securocrat”
Strong
Neutral
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “securocrat”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “securocrat”
- Misspelling as 'securicrat' or 'securocrate'.
- Using it as a neutral job title rather than a critical term.
- Confusing it with 'technocrat' (expert in technology/administration).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is not a formal title. It is a critical, journalistic term used to label officials perceived as part of a secretive security establishment.
Almost never. Its connotations are overwhelmingly negative, implying authoritarianism, secrecy, and anti-democratic tendencies.
A bureaucrat is a general administrative official. A securocrat is a specific type of bureaucrat whose domain is state security, and who is seen as wielding significant, unaccountable power from within that system.
No, it is a rare and specialised term. You will encounter it primarily in political commentary, historical writing, or critical journalism.
A government or state official involved in security policy, especially one perceived as authoritarian or secretive.
Securocrat: in British English it is pronounced /sɪˈkjʊərəkræt/, and in American English it is pronounced /səˈkjʊrəˌkræt/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “the securocrat mindset”
- “a securocrat's dream (of a policy)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: SECU(rity) + (bureau)CRAT. A bureaucrat whose entire domain is security, operating in the shadows.
Conceptual Metaphor
THE STATE IS A MACHINE / THE SECURITY APPARATUS IS A CABAL. Securocrats are the hidden, unelected operators of the state's security machinery.
Practice
Quiz
In which context is the term 'securocrat' MOST likely to be used appropriately?