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oligarchy

KIRU

oligarchy

Pronunciation

IPA: /ˈɒlɪɡɑːki/ or /ˈɑːlɪɡɑɹki/ (US)

Breakdown by Syllable:

  • ˈɒlɪ or ˈɑːlɪ:

    • ˈ: primary stress

    • ɒ or ɑː: vowel sound (similar to "odd" or "father" respectively)

    • lɪ: consonant-vowel combination (l followed by short i)

  • ɡɑː or ɡɑɹ:

    • ɡ: voiced velar stop (similar to "g" in "go")

    • ɑː or ɑɹ: vowel sound (similar to "father" or a more relaxed "ar" sound)

  • ki:

    • k: voiceless velar stop (similar to "k" in "cat")

    • i: high front vowel (similar to "ee" in "feet")

Word Form Variations

Oligarchy is a noun. Its plural form is:

  • Oligarchies

There are no other common word form variations for "oligarchy."

Definitions, Synonyms, Antonyms

Noun

  • Definition: A form of government in which power is concentrated in the hands of a small, privileged group.

    • Synonyms: aristocracy, plutocracy, elite rule

    • Antonyms: democracy, republic, egalitarianism

Adjective

  • Definition: Relating to or characteristic of an oligarchy.

    • Synonyms: elitist, exclusive, authoritarian

    • Antonyms: democratic, egalitarian, inclusive

Examples of Use

Books

  • Fiction: In George Orwell's dystopian novel 1984, the totalitarian state is controlled by a small, powerful group known as the Party, exemplifying an oligarchy (Orwell, G. 1984).

  • Nonfiction: Sociologist C. Wright Mills, in The Power Elite, argues that a small group of individuals from the military, corporate, and political realms dominate American society, forming an oligarchy (Mills, C. W. The Power Elite).

Newspapers and Online Publications

  • News article: A New York Times article might discuss the increasing concentration of wealth and power in the hands of a few tech companies, suggesting the formation of a tech oligarchy (e.g., "Tech Giants' Power Grows, Raising Concerns of Oligarchy").

  • Opinion piece: A Washington Post op-ed could criticize the influence of a small group of lobbyists on government policy, characterizing it as an oligarchy (e.g., "Lobbyist Oligarchy Grips Washington").

Entertainment

  • Television: A political drama series like House of Cards often depicts the machinations of a powerful, elite group controlling a government, portraying an oligarchy.

  • Film: Movies like The Social Network can allude to the rise of a new oligarchy in the tech industry.

General Public Discourse

  • Social media: The term "oligarchy" is frequently used on platforms like Twitter and Facebook to criticize perceived concentrations of power in politics, business, or other areas.

  • Political speeches: Politicians often employ the term to denounce their opponents or to rally support for their anti-establishment platforms.

Academic and Research Contexts

  • Journal articles: Academic journals in political science, sociology, and economics frequently employ the term "oligarchy" to analyze power structures in various societies.

  • Conferences: Researchers often present papers discussing the emergence or decline of oligarchies in different historical and contemporary contexts.

These examples demonstrate the widespread use of "oligarchy" across various media and platforms to describe and analyze power structures in society.

10 Famous Quotes Using the term Oligarchy

While the term "oligarchy" is frequently used in contemporary discourse, finding direct, famous quotes explicitly using the word can be challenging. Many quotes allude to the concept without explicitly naming it. Thus, this list includes quotes that directly or indirectly reference oligarchy.

  1. Aristotle: "He who is a citizen in a democracy will often not be a citizen in an oligarchy." - While not directly using "oligarchy," Aristotle clearly distinguishes between democratic and oligarchic forms of governance.

  2. Plato: In The Republic, Plato explores various forms of government, including oligarchy, and its potential for corruption.

  3. C. Wright Mills: "The power elite ... are in command of the major institutional hierarchies of society." - While not explicitly using "oligarchy," Mills' concept of a power elite aligns with the definition.

  4. Noam Chomsky: Chomsky's work often critiques the concentration of power in the hands of a few, which can be interpreted as a critique of oligarchy.

  5. George Orwell: In 1984, the totalitarian regime is essentially an oligarchy, though not explicitly named.

  6. Joseph Schumpeter: While not directly about oligarchy, Schumpeter's concept of "creative destruction" can be linked to the dynamics of oligarchic systems.

  7. Niccolò Machiavelli: While not explicitly using "oligarchy," Machiavelli's analysis of power structures often touches on themes related to oligarchy.

  8. Thomas Piketty: Piketty's work on inequality and wealth concentration indirectly relates to the concept of oligarchy.

  9. Bernie Sanders: Many of Sanders' political statements criticize economic inequality and the influence of wealthy individuals and corporations, which can be seen as critiques of oligarchy.

  10. Elizabeth Warren: Similar to Sanders, Warren's political platform often addresses issues of wealth inequality and corporate power, implicitly criticizing oligarchic tendencies.

Etymology

Oligarchy is a word that comes from the Greek language.

  • Oligo means "few".

  • Archy means "rule".

So, when you put them together, oligarchy means "rule by a few".

Imagine a group of friends deciding who gets to pick the movie to watch. If only three friends get to choose, and everyone else has to watch what they pick, that's kind of like an oligarchy. In a real oligarchy, though, it's a small group of people who make all the important decisions for a country or society, and the rest of the people have very little say.

The word "oligarchy" started being used in English around the mid-1500s. People used it to describe governments where power was in the hands of a small group.

Phrases + Idioms Containing the term Oligarchy

  • While there aren't specific idioms or phrases directly using "oligarchy," the word is often used in context with other terms to create powerful statements. Here are some examples:

    Common Phrases

    • "Rise of the oligarchy": refers to the increasing power of a small group within a society or industry.

    • "Challenge the oligarchy": means to oppose or resist the power of a ruling elite.

    • "Oligarchy of wealth": describes a situation where the wealthy few control a disproportionate amount of power.

    • "Tech oligarchy": specifically refers to the power held by a small group of tech companies or their leaders.

    Related Terms and Concepts

    While not direct phrases, these terms often accompany "oligarchy":

    • Power elite

    • Deep state

    • Establishment

    • One-percent

    • Crony capitalism

    These terms help to paint a picture of a society or system dominated by a small, powerful group.

    Would you like to explore any of these terms further or do you have another request?

Posts Related to Oligarchy

Source Information

Definition of oligarchy from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.