Oligarchy (from Ancient Greek ὀλιγαρχία (oligarkhía) 'rule by few'; from ὀλίγος (olígos) 'few' and ἄρχω (árkhō) 'to rule, command') [1][2][3] is a form of government in which power rests with a small number of people. Leaders of such regimes are often referred to as oligarchs, and generally are characterized by having titles of nobility or high amounts of wealth. [4][5]
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.
Learn what oligarchy means, how it shapes power, and why growing inequality raises concerns about democracy in the US. For years, Oxfam—along with advocates and activists around the world—have argued that the extreme concentration of wealth leads to the extreme concentration of power, allowing a ...
Learn what an oligarchy is, how it works, and the pros and cons of allowing a few elite people to control an entire country.
The term “oligarchy” has been used quite freely in recent years. However, to have an oligarchic regime, certain conditions must be met. So, what is an oligarchy?
An oligarchy is a governmental system in which the government is controlled by a small group of people, or oligarchs. The term “oligarch” comes from an ancient Greek word, “oligarkhia”, which means “the rule of the few.” Oligarchs typically gain control through financial means, such as donating heavily to politicians who, in turn, rule in ways dictated by the oligarchs. However ...