Kleptocracy (or sometimes Cleptocracy) (root: Klepto+cracy) is a form of government. It means literally "rule by thieves". It is the end-point of political corruption, where no pretence of honesty remains, and the government of a country exists solely to enrich its rulers and to perpetuate their rule.
The following governments (in alphabetical order by country name) have been accused of being kleptocracies:
- The government of Francois Duvalier in Haiti
- The government of President Suharto in Indonesia
- The government of Sani Abacha in Nigeria
- The government of Ferdinand Marcos in the Philippines
- The government of Nicolae Ceauşescu in Romania
- The government of Idi Amin in Uganda
- The government of George Bush in the United States of America
- The government of Mobutu Sese Seko in Zaire
Kleptocrats often use money laundering and anonymous banking as a way of protecting and concealing their wealth.