plutocracy

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   a system of government or social control in which the wealthiest people hold political power

   Critics warned that unrestricted campaign spending could turn the republic into a plutocracy.

2. 2
   noun

   the wealthy ruling class in such a system, or a state governed by that class

   The reform movement challenged a plutocracy that controlled both industry and government.

From Greek ploutokratia ("rule of the wealthy"), formed from ploutos ("wealth") and kratos ("power, rule"). English adopted the term for government by rich people and then for the wealthy class exercising that power.

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