oligarchs
Powerful wealthy elite
Oligarchs are members of a small group that holds power in a government or organization.
The term often describes Russian billionaires who accumulated vast wealth during the privatization of state assets after the Soviet collapse: Western sanctions targeted Russian oligarchs.
More broadly, oligarch labels any ultra-wealthy person whose fortune grants outsized political influence: tech oligarchs, media oligarchs.
State-sponsored looting system
- cronyismFavoring friends in appointments
- nepotismPreferring kin in hiring
- briberyCorrupt payment for influence
- embezzlementFraudulent taking of entrusted assets
money laundering · kickbacks · patronage · rigged · collusion · exploitation · looting · plunder
Wealthy business leader
- tycoonDominant industrial leader
- industrialistMajor manufacturing business owner
- baronLow-ranking peer
- mogulInfluential industry leader
conglomerate · monopoly · cartel · privatization · resource extraction · oil · gas · mining
Person worth ten figures
- plutocratRuler through wealth
- moneyedHaving substantial wealth
- affluentHaving abundant financial resources
- fortuneWealth or destiny
riches · opulent · luxury · heir · heiress · assets · estates · yachts
Advocating to decision-makers
- backroomPrivate space for dealings
- puppetControlled performing figure
- figureheadNominal leader, no authority
- campaign financeMoney raised for elections
media control · propaganda · electoral manipulation · political donations · access · revolving door · legislation · think tanks
Sole wielder of power
- strongmanPowerful lifter or despot
- regimeSystem of governance
- dominanceSuperior influence over others
- controlAuthority to direct
hegemony · supremacy · consolidation · entrenchment · influence · command · authority · grip
Rule by hereditary elite
- nobilityTitled ruling class
- ruling eliteDominant governing class
- establishmentFounded organization or venue
- exclusiveLimited to one group
gated · insular · dynasties · old money · jet set · Davos · private clubs · elite networks
kleptocracy
State-sponsored looting system
- cronyismFavoring friends in appointments
- nepotismPreferring kin in hiring
- briberyCorrupt payment for influence
embezzlement · money laundering · kickbacks · patronage · rigged · collusion · exploitation · looting · plunder · state capture
magnate
Wealthy business leader
- tycoonDominant industrial leader
- industrialistMajor manufacturing business owner
- baronLow-ranking peer
mogul · conglomerate · monopoly · cartel · privatization · resource extraction · oil · gas · mining · metals
billionaire
Person worth ten figures
- plutocratRuler through wealth
- moneyedHaving substantial wealth
- affluentHaving abundant financial resources
fortune · riches · opulent · luxury · heir · heiress · assets · estates · yachts · mansions
lobbying
Advocating to decision-makers
- backroomPrivate space for dealings
- puppetControlled performing figure
- figureheadNominal leader, no authority
campaign finance · media control · propaganda · electoral manipulation · political donations · access · revolving door · legislation · think tanks · astroturfing
autocrat
Sole wielder of power
control · hegemony · supremacy · consolidation · entrenchment · influence · command · authority · grip · stranglehold
aristocracy
Rule by hereditary elite
- nobilityTitled ruling class
- ruling eliteDominant governing class
- establishmentFounded organization or venue
exclusive · gated · insular · dynasties · old money · jet set · Davos · private clubs · elite networks · intermarriage
- Eastern EuropePoland, Hungary, Romania, Ukraine, Bulgaria
- eliteselites, plutocrats, aristocrats, blue bloods, old money
- upper classaristocrat, nobles, baron, baroness, baronet
- elite powerplutocracy, plutocrat, plutocrats, elite, elites
- power playerspower brokers, insiders, dealmakers, influencers, kingmakers
- Meiji FiguresEmperor Meiji
oligarchsthe people
Citizens collectively
the masses · democrats · commoners · citizens · voters
oligarchsthe poor
paupers · proletariat · working class · peasants · have-nots
oligarchselected representatives
Chosen holders of public office
public servants · elected officials · representatives · delegates · tribunes
- Russian oligarchWealthy, politically connected businessman