English Explanatory Dictionary

good tsar, bad boyars

English dictionary entry

Meanings

phrase
  1. an ideology that attributes good outcomes to the tsar, and bad outcomes to his inferior ministers (boyars).
  2. used to criticize situations in which high-ranking authorities disclaim responsibility for their policies and activities

Word forms

good tsar, bad boyars

Etymology

Compare if only the tsar knew, German wenn das der Führer wüsste. Suggests that, if only the tsar were aware of the injustices of his bad boyars, he would immediately rectify the problems.

Synonyms

naïve monarchism
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