-ist:
* More general: It's used for a wider range of beliefs and practices, often associated with artistic, scientific, or philosophical ideas.
* Examples:
* Artist: Someone who creates art.
* Scientist: Someone who practices science.
* Capitalist: Someone who believes in capitalism.
* Socialist: Someone who believes in socialism.
-crat:
* Specifically associated with government and political systems: It usually refers to someone who supports a particular form of government or political ideology.
* Examples:
* Democrat: Someone who supports democracy.
* Technocrat: Someone who believes in government by experts.
* Bureaucrat: Someone who works in a government bureaucracy.
Key Differences:
* Scope: "-ist" is more general, while "-crat" is more specific to political systems.
* Focus: "-ist" emphasizes beliefs and practices, while "-crat" emphasizes government and political structure.
Exceptions:
There are exceptions to these general rules. Some words ending in "-ist" might have a more specific meaning, while some words ending in "-crat" might not be related to politics. It's always best to check the specific definition of the word in question.
Overall, both "-ist" and "-crat" are suffixes that denote someone who adheres to a particular set of beliefs or practices. However, "-ist" is more broadly applied, while "-crat" is more specifically associated with political systems and ideologies.