Difference between revisions of "Oligarchy"
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| − | An '''oligarchy''' is a form of [[government]] where rule is by a small elite group. Ancient [[Sparta]], for instance, was run by an oligarchy. | + | An '''oligarchy''' is a form of [[government]] where rule is by a small [[elitist|elite]] group. These people could be distinguished by [[royalty]], wealth, family ties, education, [[corporate]], or [[military]] control. |
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| + | Throughout [[history]], oligarchies have been [[tyrant|tyrannical]] (relying on public obedience and/or [[oppression]] to exist) or relatively benign. [[Aristotle]] pioneered the use of the term as a synonym for rule by the rich,<ref>Winters (2011) p.37</ref> for which the exact term is [[plutocracy]]. | ||
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| + | Oligarchy is not always rule by the wealthy, as oligarchs can simply be a privileged group, and do not have to be connected by bloodlines as in a [[monarchy]]. | ||
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| + | Forms of government and other [[political]] structures associated with oligarchy can include [[aristocracy]], [[Corporatocracy|Crony capitalism]], [[meritocracy]], [[military junta]], [[plutocracy]], [[technocracy]], and [[theocracy]]. | ||
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| + | ==Examples== | ||
| + | Currently, the central authority of [[Communist China]] is concentrated in the [[Politburo]] Standing Committee composed of 7-members, of the [[Communist Party of China]]. | ||
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| + | Ancient [[Sparta]], for instance, was run by an oligarchy. | ||
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| + | == See Also == | ||
| + | * [[Aristocracy]] | ||
| + | * Corporatocracy - [[Crony capitalism]] | ||
| + | * [[Dictatorship]] | ||
| + | * [[Kleptocracy]] | ||
| + | * [[Meritocracy]] | ||
| + | * [[Military junta]] | ||
| + | * [[Oligopoly]] | ||
| + | * [[Plutocracy]] | ||
| + | * [[Technocracy]] | ||
| + | * [[Theocracy]] | ||
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| + | ==References== | ||
| + | {{relist|2}} | ||
| + | * Ostwald, M. ''Oligarchia: The Development of a Constitutional Form in Ancient [[Greece]] (''Historia'' Einzelschirften; 144)''. Stuttgart: Steiner, 2000 (ISBN 3-515-07680-8). | ||
[[Category: Government]] | [[Category: Government]] | ||
Revision as of 05:52, April 27, 2014
An oligarchy is a form of government where rule is by a small elite group. These people could be distinguished by royalty, wealth, family ties, education, corporate, or military control.
Throughout history, oligarchies have been tyrannical (relying on public obedience and/or oppression to exist) or relatively benign. Aristotle pioneered the use of the term as a synonym for rule by the rich,[1] for which the exact term is plutocracy.
Oligarchy is not always rule by the wealthy, as oligarchs can simply be a privileged group, and do not have to be connected by bloodlines as in a monarchy.
Forms of government and other political structures associated with oligarchy can include aristocracy, Crony capitalism, meritocracy, military junta, plutocracy, technocracy, and theocracy.
Examples
Currently, the central authority of Communist China is concentrated in the Politburo Standing Committee composed of 7-members, of the Communist Party of China.
Ancient Sparta, for instance, was run by an oligarchy.
See Also
- Aristocracy
- Corporatocracy - Crony capitalism
- Dictatorship
- Kleptocracy
- Meritocracy
- Military junta
- Oligopoly
- Plutocracy
- Technocracy
- Theocracy
References
- Ostwald, M. Oligarchia: The Development of a Constitutional Form in Ancient Greece (Historia Einzelschirften; 144). Stuttgart: Steiner, 2000 (ISBN 3-515-07680-8).
- ↑ Winters (2011) p.37