When political systems loom, we tend to think of democracy, in which everyone is brought to bear on key decisions, and dictatorship, in which a single person wields unchallengeable power. These two systems are commonly perceived as opposing extremes of governance. In between, though, is another structure as old as they are, one every bit as powerful and has proven far more enduring, which is oligarchy.
An oligarchy is a regime in which a small group of people, particularly families, exercise control, typically for corrupt and selfish purposes, operating behind the façade of the most identifiable political institutions. Even the word sounds old, as though it describes the precondition for a ruling council of old aristocrats (or an elite ice cream) tens or hundreds of years ago, but do not be fooled: Oligarchy is no antique. It’s a living, breathing system that still wields enormous influence in the modern world.
Today oligarchy takes many forms, it is seen in corporate boardrooms where a few high-ranking executives make decisions that lead to more profits for themselves and lower wages for their workers; it can be seen in political dynasties that manipulate elections and in the anointed nominees of the moneyed elite; and it can be seen in public policy that puts the needs of the powerful and the wealthy ahead of the needs of the American people. These powerful groups are often not the official ones in control, but they have a long reach in the institutions that rule our lives.
As wealth becomes concentrated, media empires consolidate under a handful of owners and public trust in political systems erodes, the question is: Do we live in a democracy, or do we live in a plutocracy, oligarchy, or something else? Understanding oligarchy is critical to unravelling the complexities of how our societies are controlled and influenced in insidious ways.
What Is Oligarchy?
At a basic level, oligarchy means a power structure where a small number of people holds power. They can be defined by royalty, wealth, family, education, corporate, or militaristic control. Whereas in democracies the majority rules, or in autocracies a single leader holds all power, oligarchy centralizes authority among a few rich or otherwise privileged.
The word derives from the Greek words for “few” (oligos) and “rule” (arkhe).” Its use in the history of political thought goes back at least to the ancient Greeks, among whom Aristotle used the term in a disparaging way to refer to corrupt forms of rule by the elite; such elites were preoccupied with their own narrow interests and with exploiting the powerless for the sake of their own privilege.
Historical And Modern Examples
The ancient Greek city-state of Sparta was classified as an oligarchy. More recently, critics have cited Russia, where political power is held in the hands of a few ultra-wealthy business magnates, known as oligarchs. Even in democratic countries, there are occasional complaints of oligarchic tendencies, instances where wealthy corporations, lobbyists, or political dynasties wield outsized influence over policy and governance.
Types Of Oligarchy
Oligarchies come in many types and can be distinguished according to the qualities of the ruling elite. Whatever the particular reasons that make these groups like one another—wealth, birthing rights, knowledge, corporate interest, and that set shapes the character of their rule and the effects on the rest of society. The following are some of the most classic and well-known forms of oligarchy:
Plutocracy: Government Of The wealthy.
The term plutocracy is used to describe a government that is in control of the wealthy members of a society. They’re the people or families who use their economic power to influence political outcomes, bankroll election campaigns, shape media stories, and lobby for legislation to defend or enlarge their fortunes. Plutocracy gives the appearance of democracy, but in reality, the wealthy elite control the country and suppress the will and needs of the rest of the people. In many countries, the burgeoning wealth gap has inspired worries of a spreading global plutocracy.
Rule by An Elite: Aristocracy(Strict Sense)
Ostensibly defined as rule by the best (in Greek, “rule of the best”), an aristocracy typically connotes rule by a hereditary elite or nobility. They are usually born into a life of luxury, living with titles and estates won by their ancestors. In feudal society, the aristocracy ruled great domains and exercised aristocratic privilege over the king and the peasants. Although many aristocratic systems have attenuated or superseded somehow, vestiges may still exist in a few modern governments (theocracy, see also politocracy), where governments may follow, support, or advocate the precedence of inherited power or wealth.
Technocracy: Rule By Experts
A technocracy gives decision-makers power over experts, scientists, engineers, economists, and highly educated professionals. The thought is that experts, drawing on data and reason rather than ideology or repute, can govern more effectively. Technocratic governance may create efficient and rational policy, but at the risk of losing popular support. Critics contend that technocracy may produce an alienated governing elite without accountability or connection to the average citizen’s values, needs, or lived experiences.
Corporate Politico System: Profits Over People
Under a corporate oligarchy, corporate interests shape domestic and foreign policy, and corporate interests take precedence over the common good. This form of oligarchy arises when corporate interests determine the content of the law, public policy, and foreign policy. Campaign finance, lobbying, media ownership, and revolving doors between business and government enable corporate rulers to drive a policy agenda that serves profits over the public interest. In those systems, rules can get watered down, workers’ rights undermined, and environmental protections overlooked in the service of powerful business interests.
Why It Matters Today
Oligarchy matters because it calls into question concepts of fairness, representation, and accountability. And while some believe that it is the elites who bring stability and expertise to government, others caution that unchecked oligarchic rule can erode democratic norms, stifle innovation, and exacerbate inequality.
In an era of growing economic inequality and political divisiveness, one must wonder: Who holds the power in our country? Is the public interest driving decisions, or is the narrative controlled by a small, powerful minority?
Final Thoughts
There’s nothing woolly-headed or out of date about feelings of feudalism in the current moment; oligarchy isn’t just a concept we read about in political science texts, but a lens by which we can understand power dynamics today. The first step to building more inclusive, transparent, and accountable governance systems is to acknowledge the existence of power. Whether in politics, business, or the media, the questioning of concentrated power is a must for the good health of any society.