English

Noun

tycoonocracy ‎(uncountable)

1. (colloquial, rare) Rule by tycoons, plutocracy.
   • 1997, Reuters News Service, “Party quits Hong Kong race”, Nov. 28 1997:

     “Hong Kong's economic elites simply do not need further advantages,” he said [Martin Lee of The Democratic Party of Hong Kong], adding that the change would help turn Hong Kong into a “tycoonocracy.”

   • 2011, Joseph Y. S. Chenga, Journal of Comparative Asian Development, “Goodstadt, Leo F. (2007). Profits, politics and panics — Hong Kong's banks and the making of a miracle economy, 1935–1985. Hong Kong: Hong Kong University Press, xi, 315 pp.”, Volume 10, Issue 1, 2011, pages 186–196, DOI:10.1080/15339114.2011.578493

     He labels these unhealthy links between the government and unelected, quasi-hereditary business elite as “tycoonocracy”. Unfortunately, since the publication of this book in 2007, the phenomenon of “tycoonocracy” has become more conspicuous.

   • 2014, The Times, “Home truths that are driving the Hong Kong protest”, Oct 7, 2014:

     It is no coincidence that the city’s tycoonocracy is being blamed for both betrayals.

Usage notes

Particularly used of Hong Kong, partly due to Asian origin and usage of tycoon.

Related terms

• tycoonocrat (rare)