Definition, Meaning & Synonyms

praetorianism

noun

/ˌpriːtəˈɔːriənɪzəm/

Definition

The influence or power of the praetorian guard, especially in a political sense.

Examples

The rise of praetorianism in the government led to widespread concern about the erosion of democratic values.
Many historians believe that praetorianism was a significant factor in the downfall of the Roman Republic.
The military’s praetorianism resulted in the manipulation of elections to maintain its influence.

Meaning

Praetorianism refers to a situation in which a military or elite group holds significant power over a government or political structure, often bypassing democratic processes.