BharatNotes Oligarchy
nounUsage in a UPSC answer
When electoral funding, media ownership and crony contracts converge in the hands of a few business houses, a nominal democracy can quietly harden into an oligarchy in which the franchise survives but real decision-making power does not.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Word Family
oligarch (n.), oligarchs (n. pl.), oligarchic (adj.), oligarchical (adj.), oligarchy (n.)
Root
Greek olígos (ὀλίγος) = few + arkhḗ (ἀρχή) = rule, authority; oligarkhía = rule by the few
Etymology
From Ancient Greek oligarkhía (ὀλιγαρχία), combining olígos (ὀλίγος, "few") and arkhḗ (ἀρχή, "rule, authority"); entered English via Latin and French in the 1570s.
Memory Hook
"Oligo-" means FEW (as in oligo-poly, few sellers) + "-archy" means RULE - so oligarchy is rule by the FEW. Picture an "oily gang" of a few rich men gripping the levers of power.
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