苛政(かせい)

かせい
noun
harsh government; oppressive rule; tyrannical administration
formalpoliticshistory
1. harsh government; oppressive rule; tyrannical administration
Government that imposes heavy taxes and harsh laws on the people; a literary word.
苛政(かせい)に民(たみ)は苦(くる)しんだ。
The people suffered under harsh government.
「苛政(かせい)は虎(とら)よりも猛(たけ)し」という言葉(ことば)がある。
There is a saying that "oppressive government is fiercer than a tiger."
歴史上(れきしじょう)、苛政(かせい)はしばしば民衆(みんしゅう)の反乱(はんらん)を引(ひ)き起(お)こしてきた。
Throughout history, oppressive rule has often triggered popular uprisings.

A literary and historical term for cruel, burdensome governance. Most famously known from the Chinese classical saying 苛政(かせい)は虎(とら)よりも猛(たけ)し ("Oppressive government is fiercer than a tiger"), attributed to Confucius.

Common collocations

Similar words

  • 暴政(ぼうせい): tyranny — emphasizes the violent and cruel nature of the rule
  • 圧政(あっせい): oppression — emphasizes the weight and pressure of authoritarian governance
  • 悪政(あくせい): misgovernment — broader term for bad governance, not necessarily cruel

Related Words

Compare: 暴政(ぼうせい) (tyranny)
Compare: 圧政(あっせい) (oppression)
general
Added 2026.4.18 6:46 · Revised 2026.10.2 22:37
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