Deep-state definition
An internal network of members of the armed forces, intelligence agencies, police, and/or other administrative agencies within a country working to protect their own agenda. This may result in violence or government overthrow.
The deep state in Turkey helped bring about the downfall of the Ottoman Empire in the early 20th century.
noun
A network of civil servants, military, intelligence, and/or other administrative agencies within a government working to pursue their own agenda, which may be contrary to that of the people and their duly elected officials.
Origin: derived from Turkish derin devlet, an alliance of government officials, military and organized crime that brought about the downfall of the Ottoman Empire in 1923 and has been suspected in various political killings.
Most recently, the term has been characterized by an alleged conspiracy to tilt the 2016 election towards Hillary Clinton, de-legitimize the Trump presidency and impede the policy goals of the administration.
Evidence of deep state activity may be seen in leaks of classified government information to the press.
noun
That part of the federal bureaucracy whose members are regarded as following their own agenda, in opposition to that of the current administration.
noun
An alleged group of influential antidemocratic coalitions within the Turkish political system and military.
noun
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Other Word Forms
Noun
Singular:
deep-state
Plural:
deep states