arithmocratic
|a-rith-mo-crat-ic|
/ˌærɪθməˈkrætɪk/
rule by numbers
Etymology
'arithmocratic' originates from Modern coinage built from Greek elements: Greek 'arithmos' meaning 'number' + the suffix '-cratic' (from Greek 'kratos') meaning 'rule'.
'arithmocratic' was formed in English by analogy with words like 'democratic' and 'technocratic', deriving from 'arithmocracy' (a back-formation meaning 'rule by numbers') and modeled on earlier '-cracy'/'-cratic' formations.
Initially coined to denote the concept of 'rule or governance by numbers', it has retained that core sense and has been extended metaphorically to describe systems or policies that prioritize numerical metrics.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Adjective 1
relating to or advocating rule, governance, or decision-making primarily by numbers, quantitative metrics, or statistical calculations ('rule by numbers').
The city adopted an arithmocratic approach, allocating resources strictly according to population density and statistical projections.
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Adjective 2
characterized by prioritizing numerical rankings, KPIs, or algorithmic scores in evaluation or policy, often at the expense of qualitative or human considerations.
Critics argued that the university's arithmocratic admissions policy valued test scores over creativity and background.
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Last updated: 2025/10/15 09:11