oligarchic
Few hold power
Oligarchic describes government or control by a small, powerful group rather than by the people broadly.
An oligarchic regime concentrates authority among wealthy elites or a ruling class.
The term often carries critical connotations, suggesting illegitimate or self-serving power: The country's oligarchic structure kept ordinary citizens from meaningful participation.
Rule by the rich
- autocracyRule by one
- tyrannyOppressive, absolute governance
- despotismAbsolute one-person rule
- authoritarianismConcentrated, unchecked governmental power
totalitarianism · dictatorship · hegemony · domination · control · subjugation · oppression · coercion
Exclusive social group
- cabalScheming political faction
- closedNot accessible now
- insularNarrow in outlook
- exclusionaryTending to bar others
undemocratic · secretive · opaque · gatekeeping · disenfranchisement · marginalization · unaccountable · entrenched
Rule by hereditary elite
- nobilityTitled ruling class
- patriciateHereditary noble class
- ruling classDominant governing stratum
- privileged classSocially advantaged group
establishment · plutocrats · magnates · tycoons · dynastic · hereditary · pedigree · old money
Controlled by the rich
- moneyedHaving substantial wealth
- affluentHaving abundant financial resources
- billionairePerson worth ten figures
- capitalistPrivate ownership supporter
financier · industrialist · robber baron · monopolist · inequality · concentration · rent-seeking · offshore
plutocracy
Rule by the rich
authoritarianism · totalitarianism · dictatorship · hegemony · domination · control · subjugation · oppression · coercion · manipulation
clique
Exclusive social group
exclusionary · undemocratic · secretive · opaque · gatekeeping · disenfranchisement · marginalization · unaccountable · entrenched · self-perpetuating
aristocracy
Rule by hereditary elite
- nobilityTitled ruling class
- patriciateHereditary noble class
- ruling classDominant governing stratum
privileged class · establishment · plutocrats · magnates · tycoons · dynastic · hereditary · pedigree · old money · landed gentry
plutocratic
Controlled by the rich
- moneyedHaving substantial wealth
- affluentHaving abundant financial resources
- billionairePerson worth ten figures
capitalist · financier · industrialist · robber baron · monopolist · inequality · concentration · rent-seeking · offshore · tax evasion
oligarchicdemocratic
Government by the people
popular · populist · republican · majoritarian · participatory
oligarchicmeritocratic
Favoring ability over privilege
technocratic · egalitarian · democratic · open · plutocratic
oligarchicdecentralized
Lacking single authority
distributed · anarchic · communal · collective · federalist
- Russian oligarchWealthy, politically connected businessman