mandarinate

noun4

1. •
   The collective body of mandarins.

   • He criticized the monarchy and the mandarinate for failing to save the country and to help the people in their hour of greatest need. — 2016
2. •
   A political form of rule by mandarins.
3. •
   (figurative) A type of government marked by excessive bureaucracy and Byzantine regulations.

   • Far from being a model of democracy, the EU is associated with an arrogant, out-of-touch mandarinate that issues rules and edicts with paternalistic and highhanded disregard for ordinary citizens. — 2011
4. •
   (no longer used) The status of holding a position as a mandarin.