oligarchical
Rule by few
Oligarchical describes government or control by a small, privileged group rather than by the people at large.
The term typically carries negative connotations, suggesting concentration of power among elites: The country's oligarchical structure kept wealth in the hands of a few families.
Often interchangeable with oligarchic.
Rule by hereditary elite
- nobilityTitled ruling class
- patriciateHereditary noble class
- plutocratsRulers through financial power
- ruling classDominant governing stratum
privileged class · upper crust · old money · dynasties · magnates · tycoons · power brokers · kingmakers
Rule by one
- plutocracyRule by the rich
- aristocracyRule by hereditary elite
- tyrannyOppressive, absolute governance
- despotismAbsolute one-person rule
authoritarianism · totalitarianism · theocracy · monarchy · dynasty · junta · gerontocracy · kleptocracy
Supreme authority held
- suppressionForcible prevention or concealment
- repressionUnconscious blocking of thoughts
- coercionPressured compliance through threats
- manipulationUnderhanded control of others
subjugation · censorship · intimidation · monopolization · concentration · stranglehold · entrenchment · gatekeeping
Abundance of money
- fortuneWealth or destiny
- capitalWealth used for investment
- assetsOwned items of value
- inheritanceProperty received from ancestors
endowment · hoarding · accumulation · concentration · disparity · inequality · extraction · exploitation
aristocracy
Rule by hereditary elite
- nobilityTitled ruling class
- patriciateHereditary noble class
- plutocratsRulers through financial power
ruling class · privileged class · upper crust · old money · dynasties · magnates · tycoons · power brokers · kingmakers · inner circle
autocracy
Rule by one
- plutocracyRule by the rich
- aristocracyRule by hereditary elite
- tyrannyOppressive, absolute governance
despotism · authoritarianism · totalitarianism · theocracy · monarchy · dynasty · junta · gerontocracy · kleptocracy · feudalism
domination
Supreme authority held
- suppressionForcible prevention or concealment
- repressionUnconscious blocking of thoughts
- coercionPressured compliance through threats
manipulation · subjugation · censorship · intimidation · monopolization · concentration · stranglehold · entrenchment · gatekeeping · cronyism
affluence
Abundance of money
inheritance · endowment · hoarding · accumulation · concentration · disparity · inequality · extraction · exploitation · rent-seeking
oligarchicaldemocratic
Government by the people
egalitarian · equalitarian · classless · populist · majoritarian
oligarchicaldemocratic
Government by the people
meritocratic · popular · classless · representative · consensual