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Oligarchy

//ˈɑːlɪˌɡɑɹki// noun

Definitions

Noun

1
A government run by and for only a few, often the aristocracy, the wealthy, or their friends and associates. countable, uncountable
"Despite the involvement of all classes of society, America's political duopoly and the importance of money to mass-market campaigning has established an oligarchy that is seldom responsive to the citizenry as a whole, when opposed to the wealthy or major interest groups."
2
a political system governed by a few people wordnet
3
A state ruled by such a government. countable, uncountable
"The 1832 Reform Act aimed to transform the British oligarchy and allow Parliament to represent the interests of a broader range of the population."
4
Those who make up an oligarchic government. countable, uncountable
"The modern British oligarchy—particularly during periods of Tory rule—has been called a chumocracy."

Etymology

Borrowed from French oligarchie, from Late Latin oligarchia, from Ancient Greek ὀλιγαρχία (oligarkhía), from ὀλίγος (olígos, “few”) + ἀρχή (arkhḗ, “rule”). By surface analysis, oligo- (“few”) + -archy (“rule, command”).

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