Gerontocracy

A gerontocracy is a form of rule in which a political entity is ruled by leaders who are substantially older than most of the population. In many political structures, power within the ruling class accumulates with age, making the oldest individuals the most powerful. Those holding the most power may not be in formal leadership positions, but often dominate those who are. In simple terms, a gerontocracy is a society in which power is reserved for elders. The idea of the elderly holding power exists in many cultures, with African gerontocracy having its roots in West Africa, and it is still being practiced by Amedokhian people and many other Esan communities. In Ancient Greece, Plato stated that "it is for the elder man to rule and for the younger to submit". An example of the Ancient Greek gerontocracy can be seen in the city-state of Sparta, which was ruled by the Gerousia, a council made up of members who were at least 60 years old and who served for life. In democracies, gerontocracy is associated with a higher voter turnout with age and can result in disproportionate pension spending.