kingmakers
Behind-the-scenes selectors
Kingmakers are people with enough influence to determine who gains power, especially in politics.
The term evokes medieval nobles who could install rulers of their choosing.
Today it describes party bosses, major donors, or power brokers who shape elections and appointments behind the scenes: The kingmakers in the party had already decided on their candidate.
Those who give counsel
- counselorsPeople who provide guidance
- consigliereMafia boss's trusted counselor
- tacticiansExperts in maneuvering
- operativesThose who execute missions
pollsters · consultants · handlers · fixers · whips · negotiators · diplomats · architects
Wealthy few who govern
- plutocratsRulers through financial power
- aristocracyRule by hereditary elite
- nobilityTitled ruling class
- establishmentFounded organization or venue
powerbrokers · insiders · magnates · tycoons · patricians · grandees · notables · barons
Crafty and calculating
- intrigueSecret plotting or fascination
- machinationCrafty scheming, often hostile
- string-pullingCovert use of influence
- maneuveringSkillful directional control
plotting · coercion · arm-twisting · gerrymandering · rigging · fixing · bribery · lobbying
Ceremony installing a sovereign
- throneCeremonial chair for sovereigns
- successionFollowing in order
- sovereigntySupreme independent authority
- dynastySuccessive family rulers
crown · regency · ascension · heir · realm · enthronement · investiture · anointment
Financial supporters
- sponsorsFunders seeking promotion
- benefactorsGivers of aid
- financiersProviders of capital
- donorsPeople who give gifts
supporters · endorsers · angels · underwriters · bundlers · fundraisers · bankrollers · contributors
advisors
Those who give counsel
- counselorsPeople who provide guidance
- consigliereMafia boss's trusted counselor
- tacticiansExperts in maneuvering
operatives · pollsters · consultants · handlers · fixers · whips · negotiators · diplomats · architects · masterminds
oligarchs
Wealthy few who govern
- plutocratsRulers through financial power
- aristocracyRule by hereditary elite
- nobilityTitled ruling class
establishment · powerbrokers · insiders · magnates · tycoons · patricians · grandees · notables · barons · gatekeepers
scheming
Crafty and calculating
- intrigueSecret plotting or fascination
- machinationCrafty scheming, often hostile
- string-pullingCovert use of influence
maneuvering · plotting · coercion · arm-twisting · gerrymandering · rigging · fixing · bribery · lobbying · subterfuge
coronation
Ceremony installing a sovereign
- throneCeremonial chair for sovereigns
- successionFollowing in order
- sovereigntySupreme independent authority
dynasty · crown · regency · ascension · heir · realm · enthronement · investiture · anointment · abdication
backers
Financial supporters
- sponsorsFunders seeking promotion
- benefactorsGivers of aid
- financiersProviders of capital
donors · supporters · endorsers · angels · underwriters · bundlers · fundraisers · bankrollers · contributors · boosters
- eliteselites, plutocrats, oligarchs, aristocrats, blue bloods
- elite poweroligarchy, plutocracy, oligarch, plutocrat, oligarchs
- power behind the throneadvisors, regents, viziers, cardinals, prime ministers
- power brokerspowerbroker, puppeteer, string puller, string-puller, wire-puller
- power playerspower brokers, insiders, dealmakers, influencers, influence
- powerauthority, electric power, nuclear power, solar power, wind power
kingmakerskings
Male hereditary rulers
monarchs · rulers · puppets · sovereigns · figureheads
kingmakerskingslayers
Killers of monarchs
deposers · dethroners · usurpers · regicides · overthrowers