plutocratic
Ruled by riches
Plutocratic describes government or influence by the wealthy.
A plutocratic system concentrates power among those with money: Critics called the tax cuts plutocratic giveaways to the rich.
The word carries negative connotations, suggesting that wealth has corrupted democratic ideals or that the interests of ordinary people are ignored in favor of the elite.
Rule by few
- monopolyOne seller, no substitutes
- corporatocracyRule by business interests
- conglomerateCorporation spanning many industries
- hegemonyDominant group's control
cartel · boardroom · shareholder · consolidation · merger · dynasty · entrenchment · kleptocracy
Person worth ten figures
- oligarchMember of small ruling class
- tycoonDominant industrial leader
- magnateWealthy business leader
- millionairePerson possessing great wealth
affluent · opulent · rich · prosperous · financier · heir · heiress · robber-baron
Rule by hereditary elite
- eliteSuperior select group
- nobilityTitled ruling class
- patricianHighborn Roman elite
- upper-classSocially and economically privileged
bourgeoisie · gentry · privileged · blueblood · landed · establishment · caste · stratification
Advocating to decision-makers
- corruptionDishonest abuse of power
- cronyismFavoring friends in appointments
- patronageSupporter's financial backing
- nepotismPreferring kin in hiring
quid-pro-quo · kingmaker · pay-to-play · bribery · kickback · graft · access · favors
oligarchy
Rule by few
- monopolyOne seller, no substitutes
- corporatocracyRule by business interests
- conglomerateCorporation spanning many industries
hegemony · cartel · boardroom · shareholder · consolidation · merger · dynasty · entrenchment · kleptocracy · autocracy
billionaire
Person worth ten figures
millionaire · affluent · opulent · rich · prosperous · financier · heir · heiress · robber-baron · moneyed
aristocracy
Rule by hereditary elite
upper-class · bourgeoisie · gentry · privileged · blueblood · landed · establishment · caste · stratification · exclusivity
lobbying
Advocating to decision-makers
- corruptionDishonest abuse of power
- cronyismFavoring friends in appointments
- patronageSupporter's financial backing
nepotism · quid-pro-quo · kingmaker · pay-to-play · bribery · kickback · graft · access · favors
plutocraticdemocratic
Government by the people
meritocratic · egalitarian · technocratic · theocratic · aristocratic
plutocraticegalitarian
Equality principle supporter
equalitarian · classless · democratic · communitarian · populist
plutocraticproletarian
Wage laborer, no capital
working-class · poor · impoverished · plebeian · populist