Oligarchy is one of numerous English words for a type of rule or government. Some of these words, such as plutocracy, have an exceedingly similar meaning (both may be used to refer to rule by an …

OLIGARCHY definition: 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. See examples of oligarchy used in a sentence.

They define an oligarchy as a "type of political system" in which "the wealthiest citizens deploy unique and concentrated power resources to defend their unique minority interests", and that their …

Feb 27, 2026 · 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 …

Definition of oligarchy noun in Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary. Meaning, pronunciation, picture, example sentences, grammar, usage notes, synonyms and more.

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.

An oligarchy is a small group of people who control and run a particular country or organization. You can also refer to a country which is governed in this way as an oligarchy.

Oct 21, 2025 · The most common definition of oligarchy, from the International Encyclopedia of the Social Sciences, is “a form of government in which political power is in the hands of a small minority.”

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 …

Mar 10, 2023 · What is an oligarchy? The general definition of an oligarchy is a form of government involving the rule of a few persons or families.