Definition, Meaning & Synonyms

democide

noun

/ˈdɛməˌsaɪd/

Definition

The deliberate killing of a large number of people by a government, especially when carried out to eliminate political opponents or specific groups considered a threat.

Examples

The genocide in that country was classified as a democide due to the regime’s brutal tactics against its citizens.
Many historians study instances of democide to understand the conditions that allow such atrocities to occur.
Democide can involve various methods, including forced disappearances, mass shootings, and extermination camps.

Meaning

Democide refers to a government’s systematic killing of its own people, often for political reasons. This term highlights the role of state power in orchestrating mass murders and violence against civilians.