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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.
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:
Add to word list. [ U ] the fact of a country being ruled or controlled by a small group of powerful people: The real difference between oligarchy and democracy is wealth. [ C ] a country or industry that is controlled by a small group of powerful people, or these people considered as a group:
Oct 19, 2023 · 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.
Word Origin. See oligarchy in the Oxford Advanced American Dictionary. Check pronunciation: oligarchy. Definition of oligarchy noun in Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary. Meaning, pronunciation, picture, example sentences, grammar, usage notes, synonyms and more.
The political term, oligarchy, comes to English from the Greek with its meaning intact — a form of government run by a small number of people such as wealthy landowners, royalty or powerful military figures. If you say that you can't fight the oligarchy, you mean the leaders of such a place.
a : a country, business, etc., that is controlled by a small group of people. Their nation is an oligarchy. b : the people that control a country, business, etc. An oligarchy rules their nation. 2. [noncount] : government or control by a small group of people. The corporation is ruled by oligarchy.
