Word
deep state
Meanings
A supposed secret network of influential people within government institutions that covertly steers or blocks political decisions.
Definition
A “deep state” is a supposed hidden network within government that secretly influences policy regardless of elected leaders.
“Deep state” refers to the idea that powerful, unelected insiders in the state—such as security services, senior officials, or entrenched bureaucracies—shape decisions behind the scenes. It is often used to suggest secret coordination that resists or overrides democratic control. In many contexts, the phrase carries a conspiratorial implication rather than describing a proven organization.
Examples
- During the campaign, he claimed the deep state was undermining the reforms he promised to deliver.
- In her podcast, she questioned whether the deep state is a real structure or simply a political slogan.
- They dismissed the allegations about a deep state as an attempt to discredit civil servants after the policy failure.
- I found that discussions of the deep state often replace evidence with insinuation when tensions run high.
Common mistake
Learners sometimes treat “deep state” as a verified organization and use it as a factual label instead of marking it as an allegation or belief in many contexts.
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