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Forms of government

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Oligarchy (Greek Ὀλιγαρχία, Oligarkhía) is a form of government where political power effectively rests with a small, elite segment of society (whether distinguished by wealth, family or military prowess). The word oligarchy is from the Greek words for "few" (ὀλίγον óligon) and "rule" (ἄρχω arkho).


[edit] Oligarchy, Aristocracy, and Plutocracy


[edit] Oligarchy vs. Monarchy



[edit] Examples of oligarchies



Capitalism as a social system, exemplified most notably by the United States, is sometimes described as an oligarchy. Critics argue that in a capitalist society, power - economic, cultural and political - rests in the hands of the capitalist class. Communist states have also been seen as oligarchies, being ruled by a class with special privileges, the nomenklatura.

[edit] "The Iron Law of Oligarchy"

Some authors such as Vilfredo Pareto, Gaetano Mosca, Thomas R. Dye, and Robert Michels believe that any political system will eventually evolve into an oligarchy (the "Iron law of oligarchy"). According to this school of thought, modern democracies should be considered as elected oligarchies. In these systems, actual differences between viable political rivals are relatively small and strict limits are imposed (by the oligarchic elite) on what constitutes 'acceptable' and 'respectable' political positions. Furthermore, politicians' careers depend heavily on unelected economic and media elites.


[edit] See also

Government terms:

Relevant authors:

[edit] External links

cs:Oligarchie da:Oligarki de:Oligarchie el:Ολιγαρχία es:Oligarquía eo:Oligarkio eu:Oligarkia fr:Oligarchie gl:Oligarquía ko:과두정 hr:Oligarhija it:Oligarchia he:אוליגרכיה la:Oligarchia lt:Oligarchija nl:Oligarchie ja:寡頭制 no:Oligarki nn:Oligarki pl:Oligarchia pt:Oligarquia ro:Oligarhie ru:Олигархия sh:Oligarhija simple:Oligarchy sk:Oligarchia sr:Олигархија fi:Oligarkia sv:Oligarki tr:Oligarşi uk:Олігархія zh:寡头政治


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