Oligarchies

An oligarchy is a form of government or power structure in which control rests with a small group of people. The governing group may be defined by wealth, family ties, military strength, political position, or a combination of these. Oligarchies can be formal institutions with explicit rules, or informal networks that wield influence without a codified framework.

Power in oligarchies is typically exercised through control of key levers of authority, including the state apparatus, security forces, judiciary, the media, and economic resources. They may install allies in offices, grant patronage, and influence elections or policy decisions to safeguard their interests while limiting challenges from wider society.

Oligarchy is distinct from autocracy (rule by one) and democracy (rule by many). It can exist within the framework of a democracy as a constitutional oligarchy or emerge during a regime’s decay. Related concepts include aristocracy (rule by the hereditary elite) and plutocracy (rule by wealth).

Historically, oligarchies have appeared in various forms, from ancient city-states where a narrow elite held power to merchant republics and later modern regimes where economic elites or political factions dominate decision-making. In contemporary discourse, some observers describe certain states as oligarchies due to concentrated economic and political power among a small elite.

Critics argue that oligarchies diminish political equality, distort representation, and can reduce accountability, potentially breeding corruption or policy inertia if the elite’s interests diverge from those of the broader public.

See also: plutocracy, aristocracy, autocracy, democracy.