Oligarchy

An oligarchy is a type of government where power is held by just a few people. The word comes from Ancient Greek, where oligarkhía means "rule by few." In an oligarchy, leaders often have special titles showing they are nobles or they might simply be very rich.

This kind of government is different from a democracy, where everyone has a say. In an oligarchy, decisions are made by those in charge, and others have little influence. Sometimes, these leaders call themselves oligarchs.

Oligarchies have existed in many places throughout history. They can happen when a small group of families, wealthy people, or powerful nobles take control of a country or city. Understanding oligarchy helps us see how different societies have been governed and why some people have more power than others.

Types

Minority rule

Main article: Minoritarianism

When a small group, such as a certain religion or ethnic group, holds most of the power, this can be a type of oligarchy. This often happened after countries were ruled by others in the past. A thinker named Robert Michels said that even in democracies, big groups tend to have a few leaders over time because of how work is organized.

Some experts say that in some countries, very rich people have a big say in what the government does, even if they aren't in charge. They use their money to influence decisions, like supporting certain laws or choosing leaders through voting. They can also shape what people think and even change important rules to benefit themselves.

Business oligarchies

Main article: Business oligarch

Sometimes, big business groups can act like oligarchies. This happens when they own the most private property, have enough power to change laws to help themselves, and control many different types of businesses.

Intellectual oligarchies

Main article: Major Barbara

A writer named George Bernard Shaw talked about the idea of intellectual oligarchy. He believed that smart and educated people sometimes control too much and wanted regular people to have more power.

History

Aristotle was the first to use the term "oligarchy" to mean rule by the rich, different from aristocracy. He thought oligarchy was a flawed version of aristocracy.

In Ancient Greece, the word oligarchia described the powerful elite in the city-state of Athens. But in the mid-6th century BC, a leader named Pisistratus changed this, creating a system where he and his family held power. Later, in 510 BC, Cleisthenes helped Athens become a democracy by giving more power to ordinary people.

Afterwards, many Greek city-states were ruled by wealthy elites, but sometimes the common people would rise up. In 493 BC, Themistocles became a leader and helped Athens grow stronger, especially its navy, giving more influence to ordinary citizens. Over time, leaders like Pericles helped shape Athenian democracy. Later, a group called the Thirty Tyrants briefly ruled Athens with harsh methods, but their time in power was short.

By country

Jeffrey A. Winters and Benjamin I. Page have described Colombia, Indonesia, Russia, Singapore and the United States as having governments where a small group holds most of the power.

The Philippines

Main article: Monopolies in the Philippines (1965–1986)

During the presidency of Ferdinand Marcos from 1965 to 1986, several big businesses grew in the Philippines, mainly linked to the Marcos family and their close friends. Experts have called this time, and even later years, a period where a few people controlled much of the country.

President Rodrigo Duterte, elected in 2016, promised to end this control by a few rich people during his time as leader. But big business groups kept their power. While Duterte spoke out against some wealthy families, others who supported him also did well.

Russia

Main article: Russian oligarchs

After the Soviet Union broke up in 1991, many state-owned things were sold to private people. This created a group of very rich business people who took control of big parts of the economy, like energy and metals. These rich people often had close ties with government leaders, especially the president, which made some call Russia a place where a few rich people control the government.

India

In 2023, Robert Lighthizer wrote that a small number of very rich people helped shape India's trade rules. He called them powerful controllers of the country.

The Adani Group, owned by India's richest man Gautam Adani, did very well after Narendra Modi became prime minister in 2014. Adani won bids to run six airports even though he had no experience before. His wealth grew a lot between 2020 and 2023. But in 2024, questions were raised about his business practices.

Iran

Main articles: Khomeinism and Velayat-e-faqih

The Islamic Republic of Iran, started after the 1979 Iranian Revolution, is sometimes called a government where a small group of religious leaders hold most of the power. This group, led by the Supreme Leader, makes many important decisions about laws, the military, and the economy. Critics say this means power is held by a few religious leaders, leaving out many others.

Ukraine

Main article: Ukrainian oligarchs

Since Ukraine became independent in 1991, a group of very rich business people have had a big say in the country's politics and money. These rich people took control of many things that used to belong to the government. In 2021, Ukraine made a law to try to limit the power these rich people have over politics and the economy.

United States

Further information: Income inequality in the United States § Democracy and society, and Politics of the United States § Oligarchy

Some experts have said that the United States shows signs of being controlled by a small group of very rich people and businesses, especially since the 2008 financial crisis. They say these rich people and businesses have a lot of power over money and political choices. Former President Jimmy Carter said in 2015 that the United States felt like a place where a few rich people control everything, especially after a court decision in 2010 that allowed more money in politics.

A study in 2014 by Martin Gilens and Benjamin Page looked at what happened between 1981 and 2002. They found that rich people and big businesses often got what they wanted in government decisions, even though the country has elections and freedom of speech. But some other experts said that normal people still have some say.

In his last speech as president in January 2025, Joe Biden warned that a few powerful people were starting to control too much in America, threatening democracy and freedom. During Donald Trump's second presidency, Elon Musk, who helped Trump a lot, was described as having huge influence because of his money and role in government. Musk spent over $200 million to support Trump's campaign in 2024. Bernie Sanders, who ran for president twice, started a tour called "Fighting Oligarchy" after Trump won the election.