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- DictionaryOl·i·gar·chy/ˈäləˌɡärkē/
noun
- 1. a small group of people having control of a country, organization, or institution: "the ruling oligarchy of military men around the president"
Apr 2, 2024 · Oligarchy, government by the few, especially despotic power exercised by a small and privileged group for corrupt or selfish purposes. Oligarchies in which members of the ruling group are wealthy or exercise their power through their wealth are known as plutocracies.
Oligarchy (from Ancient Greek ὀλιγαρχία (oligarkhía) 'rule by few'; from ὀλίγος (olígos) 'few', and ἄρχω (árkhō) 'to rule, command') is a conceptual form of power structure in which power rests with a small number of people.
1. : government by the few. The corporation is ruled by oligarchy. 2. : a government in which a small group exercises control especially for corrupt and selfish purposes. a military oligarchy was established in the country. also : a group exercising such control. An oligarchy ruled the nation. 3. : an organization under oligarchic control.
Nov 14, 2019 · Updated on November 14, 2019. An oligarchy is a power structure made up of a few elite individuals, families, or corporations that are allowed to control a country or organization. This article examines the characteristics of oligarchies, their evolution, and how common they are today.
noun. government by a small group of people. a state or organization so governed. a small body of individuals ruling such a state. a small clique of private citizens who exert a strong influence on government. oligarchy. A system of government in which power is held by a small group. Discover More.
a small group of very powerful people that controls a government or society: The powerful socio-economic oligarchy tried to preserve its privileged status. The country is run by a self-selecting oligarchy with little regard for the rules of law and natural justice. [ C ] a country with a government that is an oligarchy:
Oct 19, 2023 · Vocabulary. Broadly speaking, an oligarchy is a form of government characterized by the rule of a few persons or families. More specifically, the term was used by Greek philosopher Aristotle in contrast to aristocracy, which was another term to describe rule by a privileged few.
