the term technocracy is a modern formation, coined in the early 20th century from two ancient greek roots. the first element, techno-, derives from tekhnē, which in ancient greece broadly encompassed art, craft, skill, and the systematic knowledge required for any field of making or doing. the second element, -cracy, comes from kratos, meaning strength, power, or rule. the compound thus literally means "rule by skill" or "government by the skilled." this concept evolved from the classical ideal of skilled craftsmanship into the modern abstract notion of governance by technical and scientific expertise, reflecting a 20th-century belief in applying engineering and scientific principles to social and economic management. the word's logic captures the shift from artisanal skill to large-scale technological systems as the basis for authoritative control.

Structure: techno (skill, craft) + cracy (rule, government) techno: from greek tekhnē, meaning "art, craft, skill." it functions as a combining form denoting a relationship to technology or technical methods. cracy: from greek -kratia, meaning "power, rule, government." it functions as a combining form denoting a type of government or ruling body.