plutocracies
Governments by millionaires
Plutocracies is the plural of plutocracy—government by the wealthy, or a state where the rich hold power.
The term implies that money determines political influence more than votes or merit: Critics argue that campaign finance laws have turned democracies into plutocracies.
The word can describe both formal systems and informal realities where wealth buys access and policy.
Rule by few
- aristocracyRule by hereditary elite
- lobbyingAdvocating to decision-makers
- corruptionDishonest abuse of power
- cronyismFavoring friends in appointments
nepotism · patronage · kleptocracy · technocracy · autocracy · corporatocracy
Exploitative industrial tycoons
- RockefellerIndustrial dynasty surname
- CarnegieGilded Age industrialist
- VanderbiltAmerican industrial dynasty
- patriciansHereditary ruling class
boyars · chaebols · monopolies · trusts · cartels
Unequal distribution of resources
- exploitationSelfish use of others
- disenfranchisementRemoval of voting rights
- antitrustAgainst corporate market dominance
- muckrakersScandal-exposing reporters
socialism · anarchism · revolution · guillotine · pitchforks · solidarity
People with vast fortunes
- ultra-richPossessing extreme wealth
- DavosSwiss economic summit site
- think-tanksExpert advisory organizations
- deregulationRemoving governmental business restrictions
oligarchy
Rule by few
- aristocracyRule by hereditary elite
- lobbyingAdvocating to decision-makers
- corruptionDishonest abuse of power
cronyism · nepotism · patronage · kleptocracy · technocracy · autocracy · corporatocracy
robber-barons
Exploitative industrial tycoons
- RockefellerIndustrial dynasty surname
- CarnegieGilded Age industrialist
- VanderbiltAmerican industrial dynasty
patricians · boyars · chaebols · monopolies · trusts · cartels
inequality
Unequal distribution of resources
- exploitationSelfish use of others
- disenfranchisementRemoval of voting rights
- antitrustAgainst corporate market dominance
muckrakers · socialism · anarchism · revolution · guillotine · pitchforks · solidarity
billionaires
People with vast fortunes
- ultra-richPossessing extreme wealth
- DavosSwiss economic summit site
- think-tanksExpert advisory organizations
deregulation · neoliberalism · globalization · financialization
plutocraciesmeritocracies
Systems rewarding ability
democracies · direct democracies · technocracies · theocracies · aristocracies
plutocraciessocialist states
Collectively owned nation systems
worker cooperatives · social democracies · welfare states · direct democracies