Table of Contents
What is a oligarchy society?
Oligarchy is a form of government in which a small group of people hold most or all political power.
What are the characteristics of a oligarchy?
The people who hold the power in an oligarchy are called “oligarchs” and are related by characteristics such as wealth, family, nobility, corporate interests, religion, politics, or military power. Oligarchies can control all forms of government, including constitutional democracies.
What is the goal of oligarchy?
The primary goal of an oligarchy is to maintain the status quo. That means the general population within the oligarchy can have confidence in the direction they are headed.
Which statement best describes an oligarchy?
oligarchy, government by the few, especially despotic power exercised by a small and privileged group for corrupt or selfish purposes. Oligarchies in which members of the ruling group are wealthy or exercise their power through their wealth are known as plutocracies.
Coming from the Greek word oligarkhes, meaning “few governing,” an oligarchy is any power structure controlled by a small number of people called oligarchs. Oligarchs may be distinguished and related by their wealth, family ties, nobility, corporate interests, religion, politics, or military power.
What does the Iron Law of oligarchy mean?
The theoretical “iron law of oligarchy” holds that all political systems eventually evolve into oligarchies. Coming from the Greek word oligarkhes, meaning “few governing,” an oligarchy is any power structure controlled by a small number of people called oligarchs.
Why are oligarchies more efficient than ruling systems?
Oligarchies usually work efficiently. Power is placed in the hands of a few people whose expertise enables them to quickly make and apply decisions. In this way, oligarchies are more efficient than ruling systems in which many people must make all decisions in all cases.
What happens when oligarchs gain too much power?
Oligarchies that gain too much power can harm the people by restricting the free market. With unlimited power, the oligarchs can agree among themselves to fix prices, deny certain benefits to lower classes or limit the quantities of goods available to the general population.