# What Is Technocracy? Definition, How It Works, and Critiques

## What Is Technocracy?

A technocracy is a governance model where leaders are selected based on their technical skills rather than popular vote. These decision-makers, known as technocrats, wield expertise in specific domains to formulate policies. Although intended to rely on empirical data and objective methodology, technocracy faces critiques for potentially being undemocratic and ignoring public will.

### Key Takeaways

*   Technocracy is a form of governance where decision-makers are selected based on technical expertise rather than popular vote.  
    
*   Technocrats often rely on data and empirical evidence to make decisions, prioritizing objective methodology over public opinion.  
    
*   Critics argue that technocracies can be undemocratic, potentially disregarding the will and rights of the people.  
    
*   The selection of technocrats is influenced by political structures and higher authorities, which may result in decisions favoring self-interest.  
    
*   In democratic societies, there's tension between technocracy's data-driven decisions and the public's values and interests.

## Understanding the Mechanisms of Technocracy

A technocracy is a political entity ruled by experts—or technocrats—who are selected or appointed by some higher authority. Technocrats are chosen for their expertise in the area they govern. In practice, because technocrats must always be appointed by some higher authority, the political structure and incentives that influence that higher authority will always also play some role in the selection of technocrats.

A technocrat might lack the political skills or charisma often seen in elected politicians. Instead, a technocrat usually shows pragmatic, data-driven problem-solving skills.

Technocracy became a popular movement in the United States during the [Great Depression](https://www.investopedia.com/terms/g/great_depression.asp) when it was believed that technical professionals, such as engineers and scientists, would have a better understanding than politicians regarding the [economy's](https://www.investopedia.com/terms/e/economy.asp) inherent complexity.

> **Important**
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> Although democratic officials hold authority, they often rely on experts for technical guidance.

Government defense policies often involve consultation with military experts for firsthand insight. Medical treatment decisions, meanwhile, are based heavily on the input and knowledge of physicians, and city infrastructures could not be planned, designed, or constructed without the input of engineers.

## Challenges and Criticisms of Technocracy

Criticisms of technocracy arise for several reasons. Technocrats' actions and decisions can conflict with the people's will, rights, and interests. This in turn has often led to populist opposition to both specific technocratic policy decisions and to the degree of power in general granted to technocrats. These problems and conflicts help give rise to the populist concept of the "deep state", which consists of a powerful, entrenched, unaccountable, and [oligarchic](https://www.investopedia.com/oligarch-5223757) technocracy which governs in its own interests.

In a democratic society, the most obvious criticism is that there is an inherent tension between technocracy and democracy. Technocrats often may not follow the will of the people because by definition they may have specialized expertise that the general population lacks. Technocrats may lack accountability to the people's will.

In rights-based governments, technocrats might encroach on these rights if they think it's in the public interest. Emphasizing science and technical principles can seem disconnected from societal values. For instance, a technocrat might make decisions based on calculations of data rather than the impact on the populace, individuals, or groups within the population.

In any government, technocrats might favor personal or affiliated interests over the public interest. Technocrats are necessarily placed in a position of trust, since the knowledge used to enact their decisions is to some degree inaccessible or not understandable to the general public. This creates a situation where there can be a high risk of self-dealing, collusion, corruption, and cronyism. Economic problems such as [rent-seeking](https://www.investopedia.com/terms/r/rentseeking.asp), rent-extraction, or [regulatory capture](https://www.investopedia.com/terms/r/regulatory-capture.asp) are common in technocracy.

## What Is the Difference Between Meritocracy and Technocracy?

Technocracy and meritocracy are similar and overlapping concepts in the context of government. As defined above, technocracy is a model of society in which individuals are chosen to govern by their technical expertise and background. Meritocracy is a system of society where people are chosen to govern based on their merit, including praiseworthy ability, character, or other qualities. A society can be both technocratic and meritocractic.

## What Are the Features of a Technocracy?

The defining feature of a technocracy is a government comprised of individuals appointed or chosen for their technical expertise, rather than the support they draw from the broader populace.

## What Are Pros and Cons of Technocracy?

Proponents of technocracies argue that technocrats bring specialized knowledge and skills to governance, allowing them to make decisions based on past performance or know-how. Critics of technocracy argue that such a system of governance effectively ignores the will of the people and is therefore inherently undemocratic.

## The Bottom Line

Technocracy, a governance model emphasizing technical expertise, appoints decision-makers based on their specialized skills rather than popular vote. While proponents argue this allows for data-driven decisions, critics highlight an inherent tension with democratic principles. Technocrats' decisions may often prioritize empirical evidence over public sentiment and can inadvertently disregard the populace's will, raising concerns over accountability and self-interest. Understanding these dynamics is vital for evaluating technocracy's role in modern governance.

> **Article Sources**
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> 1.  Merriam-Webster. "[Meritocracy.](https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/meritocracy)"