subgovernment

noun

sub·​gov·​ern·​ment ˌsəb-ˈgə-vər(n)-mənt 

-və-mənt;

-ˈgə-bᵊm-ənt,

-vᵊm-

variants or sub-government

plural subgovernments or sub-governments

: a secondary or subordinate government : an informal or unofficial association of persons or institutions that exercises considerable influence on a formal government or organization

It was an opportunity to enter the elite world of intellectuals and military men who form a subgovernment within the executive branch.

—Neil Sheehan

… a peek into the secret subgovernment of the Cold War.

—Richard Reeves

Word History

First Known Use

1841, in the meaning defined above