New Favorite Word

I'm reading through "Third Ways" by Alan Carlson, and ran across this sentence:

"He sees the state-run economy generating 'a new class stratification,' a fresh kleptocracy of rulers who would 'deprive the whole regime of its original high ideals.' "

Kleptocracy.  A word which immediately struck me as hilarious.

Shorter Oxford English Dictionary pronounces:

"...a ruling body of thieves; a nation ruled by thieves..."

But sobering, really.