Technocracy is a form of governance where decision-makers are selected on the basis of their expertise in their respective fields of study. The term originates from the Greek words tekhne (τέχνη), meaning "art" or "skill," and kratos (κράτος), meaning "rule" or "authority." In a technocracy, scientists, engineers, and other technical experts are given the authority to make decisions based on their knowledge and expertise, rather than through a democratic process. The concept gained prominence during the early 20th century, particularly in the United States, as a response to the perceived inefficiencies and corruption of political systems. The idea has been both praised for its potential to make more informed and rational decisions and criticized for its lack of democratic representation and potential for elitism. In Hebrew, the term is translated as טכנוקרטיה (Tikhnokratya), in French as technocratie, in German as Technokratie, and in Spanish as tecnocracia. Key figures associated with the development of technocratic thought include Howard Scott and Walter Rauter, who co-founded the Technocracy Inc. movement in the 1930s.