Crony Nation

A nation defined less by shared culture or civic values than by the networks of power that run it. Patriotism becomes loyalty to the ruling group; national interest becomes the interest of the cronies; national identity becomes a tool for excluding outsiders who might challenge the arrangement. The crony nation still mobilizes nationalist sentiment, but the nation it celebrates is the nation of the elite—a fiction that serves to legitimize their rule.

Example: "He flew the flag at every rally, but the country's wealth flowed to his family's companies. Crony nation: nationalism as a shield for kleptocracy."

by Abzugal March 22, 2026

Crony Liberal Democracy

A liberal democracy where the formal guarantees of rights and freedoms coexist with systemic capture by elite networks. Free press exists, but it's owned by cronies; independent judiciary exists, but judges are appointed by cronies; competitive elections exist, but only cronies can afford to run; civil society exists, but critical organizations are defunded or harassed. The institutions of liberal democracy are preserved as a facade, but their substance has been hollowed out by the same networks that claim to serve them.

Example: "The constitution guaranteed freedom of speech, but every major newspaper was owned by a business group that financed the ruling party. Crony liberal democracy: rights on paper, capture in practice."

by Abzugal March 22, 2026

Crony Representative Democracy

A representative democracy where representatives are chosen not by the people but by the networks that fund, nominate, and protect them. Constituents get a voice, but the real conversations happen in back rooms where representatives and donors trade favors. Legislative sessions become theater while actual decisions are made in private meetings. The representative is supposed to represent the people, but in crony representative democracy, they represent the networks that put them there.

Example: "The congressman held town halls, answered letters, and voted the way his donors told him to. Crony representative democracy: representation for the public, loyalty for the cronies."

by Abzugal March 22, 2026

Activistic Cronyism

The use of social, political, or environmental activism as a cover to reward allies, friends, or insiders, rather than to achieve genuine reform.

“Their diversity initiative was just activistic cronyism — top jobs went to the same insiders with a fresh PR spin.”

“That senator’s climate task force is activistic cronyism at its finest; it’s packed with donors and lobbyists who profit from the policies.”

“The charity claimed to fight inequality, but their funding choices screamed activistic cronyism — friends of the board got all the grants.”

by readabook102938 August 12, 2025

Pulling a Croxby

“Pulling a Croxby” is spending money unnecessarily because you are upset, “fuming” or going through hectic things

Mandem’s heart got broke so he started Pulling a Croxby

by gigolo14 September 16, 2020