oligarchy

Examples of oligarchy in the following topics:

• Oligarchy

  • An oligarchy is a form of government in which power effectively rests with a small elite segment of society.
  • Here, the basic characteristics of oligarchy are particularly easy to observe, since the South African form of oligarchy was based on race.
  • Oligarchies are often controlled by politically powerful families whose children are heavily conditioned and mentored to be heirs of the power of the oligarchy.
  • States may be oligarchies de jure or de facto.
  • In de jure oligarchies, an elite group is given power by the law.

• Types of States

  • Other forms of government include oligarchy and dictatorship or totalitarianism.
  • Under this system, governments fall into general categories of authoritarianism, oligarchy, and democracy.
  • An oligarchy is different from a true democracy because very few people are given the chance to change things.
  • An oligarchy does not have to be hereditary or monarchic.
  • An oligarchy does not have one clear ruler, but several powerful people who rule.

• Types of Governments

  • An oligarchy is a form of government in which power effectively rests with a small elite segment of society distinguished by royalty, wealth, family, military or religious hegemony.
  • Such states are often controlled by politically powerful families whose children are heavily conditioned and mentored to be heirs of the power of the oligarchy.
  • Oligarchies have been tyrannical throughout history, being completely reliant on public servitude to exist.

• The U.S. Political System

  • At times, this influence has grown so noticeable that some have called into question whether the U.S. is truly a democracy of the people or something more like an oligarchy of special interest groups.

• Theories of Democracy

  • Theoretically, Aristotle contrasted rule by the many (democracy/polity) with rule by the few (oligarchy/aristocracy) and with rule by a single person (tyranny or autocracy/monarchy).

• Capitalism

  • Critics argue that capitalism is associated with the unfair distribution of wealth and power; a tendency toward market monopoly or oligopoly (and government by oligarchy); imperialism, counter-revolutionary wars and various forms of economic and cultural exploitation; repression of workers and trade unionists, and phenomena such as social alienation, economic inequality, unemployment, and economic instability.