stratocracy: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2formal, academic, historical, political
Quick answer
What does “stratocracy” mean?
A government controlled by the military.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A government controlled by the military; rule by the army.
A form of government in which political power is directly exercised by the military, distinct from a military dictatorship as it may be considered a formal type of government. The ruling class consists solely of military personnel.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant spelling or usage differences. The term is equally rare and academic in both varieties.
Connotations
Neutral academic term in both. Carries the same negative historical/political connotations of military rule.
Frequency
Extremely low frequency in both. Slightly more likely to appear in UK historical contexts (e.g., discussing Cromwell) or US political science texts.
Grammar
How to Use “stratocracy” in a Sentence
The country descended into a stratocracy.The regime was a classic stratocracy.They lived under stratocracy for decades.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “stratocracy” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- The stratocratic model was analysed in his thesis.
American English
- Few nations have a truly stratocratic constitution.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Virtually never used.
Academic
Used in political science, history, and comparative government to classify and analyse regimes.
Everyday
Extremely rare; a highly educated speaker might use it in a political discussion.
Technical
Precise term in political theory and historiography.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “stratocracy”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “stratocracy”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “stratocracy”
- Confusing it with 'aristocracy' (rule by nobility).
- Using it to describe any strong, authoritarian rule without a specifically military power structure.
- Misspelling as 'stratocrasy'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
A stratocracy implies a formal, institutionalised system where the military is the government. A military dictatorship is often a more personal or junta-based rule, which may be less formal and more temporary.
Pure stratocracies are rare. Historical examples include Sparta and, in some analyses, periods of rule under Oliver Cromwell. Some modern states with deeply entrenched military governance (e.g., Myanmar at times) have been described as having stratocratic elements.
Almost never in modern usage. It carries a negative connotation associated with lack of democracy and civil liberties, though historical texts (e.g., about Sparta) might describe it neutrally.
The adjective form is 'stratocratic'.
A government controlled by the military.
Stratocracy is usually formal, academic, historical, political in register.
Stratocracy: in British English it is pronounced /strəˈtɒk.rə.si/, and in American English it is pronounced /strəˈtɑː.krə.si/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'STRATegy' + 'CRACY' (rule) → Rule by military strategy → Rule by the military.
Conceptual Metaphor
GOVERNMENT IS A HIERARCHY (with the military at the top).
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following is the BEST example of a stratocracy?