oligarchy

[ol-i-gahr-kee]

noun

plural

oligarchies 

1. a form of government in which all power is vested in a few persons or in a dominant class or clique; government by the few.

2. a state or organization so ruled.

3. the persons or class so ruling.

oligarchy

/ ˈɒlɪˌɡɑːkɪ /

noun

1. government by a small group of people

2. a state or organization so governed

3. a small body of individuals ruling such a state

4. a small clique of private citizens who exert a strong influence on government

oligarchy

1. A system of government in which power is held by a small group.

Other Word Forms

• oligarchically adverb
• oligarchic adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of oligarchy¹

First recorded in 1570–80; from Medieval Latin oligarchia, from Greek oligarchía. See olig-, -archy

Word History and Origins

Origin of oligarchy¹

C16: via Medieval Latin from Greek oligarkhia, from olígos few + _-archy

Example Sentences

Merging "bro" and "oligarchy", it means "a small group of men, especially men owning or involved in a technology business, who are extremely rich and powerful, and who have or want political influence".

From BBC

When considered alongside the Supreme Court’s infamous Citizens United decision, which removed limits on campaign contributions and so-called dark money, it’s no wonder Gilens and Page found that America’s “democracy” is actually an oligarchy.

From Salon

“To own $1 billion is to possess more dollars than you’ll ever count,” observed Timothy Noah of the New Republic in a must-read takedown of the American oligarchy published last month.

From Los Angeles Times

Plainly, he spoke to a deep-seated desire by voters for an escape from a domestic oligarchy’s domination of politics.

From Los Angeles Times

In this melodramatic tale, the Peasant Revolt, as well as the Second, Third and Fourth revolts, are all brutally suppressed by the forces of oligarchy: “We will grind you revolutionists down under our heel.”

From Salon

Related Words

• authoritarianism www.thesaurus.com
• autocracy 
• coercion 
• cruelty 
• despotism 
• domination 
• oppression 
• terrorism 
• totalitarianism 

When To Use

What does oligarchy mean?

Oligarchy is a term for a government in which power is held by a select few individuals or a small class of powerful people.This can mean that these few people are the actual leaders, or that they influence or control the decisions that the leaders make (that they’re the ones “pulling the strings” behind the scenes).Oligarchy is never used as an official term for a form of government (like monarchy is, for example)—it’s almost always applied as a criticism of such situations. It is frequently used as a way of pointing out the influence of the wealthy and powerful in politics and government—an influence that’s typically used to benefit themselves.A country that is thought to have an oligarchic government can also be referred to as an oligarchy, as in Many outsiders view the nation as an oppressive oligarchy.  Oligarchy can also refer to the class of people who have the power in this kind of system, as in The country was run by an oligarchy consisting of a few powerful industrialists.One of the select few who rules or influences leaders in an oligarchy can be called an oligarch.The word oligarch is especially associated with and applied to Russian figures  known for their wealth and political influence. These figures are frequently called Russian oligarchs and are sometimes referred to collectively as the Russian oligarchy.  Example: The members of just three families have run the country as an oligarchy for decades, serving only their own interests.