TYPES OF GOVERNMENT:
OLIGARCHY
TYPES OF GOVERNMENT: OLIGARCHY
Oligarchy:
• A government in which
a few people such as a
dominant clan or clique
have power; also: a
group exercising such
control
[Olig] - [archy] = [Few] - [to rule]
TYPES OF GOVERNMENT: OLIGARCHY
Oligarchy groups:
• Small groups (minority)
• Higher status by:
–
–
–
–
Race
Royalty
Family ties
Corporate/Military
control
– Education
– Wealth
TYPES OF GOVERNMENT: OLIGARCHY
Oligarchy throughout
History:
• Ancient Greece
• Apartheid South Africa
• United States?
TYPES OF GOVERNMENT: OLIGARCHY
Oligarchy in Ancient
Greece
• Sparta
– Ruled by two kings at the
same time
– Governed by a group of
five men called Ephors
– Council of 28 Gerousia
(had to be male, over the
age of 60)
– Entire lifestyle in Sparta is
based on military skill
TYPES OF GOVERNMENT: OLIGARCHY
This is an
OLIGARCHY!!!
TYPES OF GOVERNMENT: OLIGARCHY
Oligarchy in South
Africa
• Minority (16.4%)
governs the vast
majority
• Land Acts gave minority
nearly 80% of all land
• Better services given to
whites than to nonwhites
TYPES OF GOVERNMENT: OLIGARCHY
TYPES OF GOVERNMENT: OLIGARCHY
Oligarchy in the
United States?
• Small groups (minority)
• Higher status by:
–
–
–
–
Race
Royalty
Family ties
Corporate/Military
control
– Education
– Wealth
TYPES OF GOVERNMENT: OLIGARCHY
Aristocracy
• A state ruled by a
privileged class
(determined by wealth
or birth).
• Based on the belief that
elite know better than
common man how to
rule.
TYPES OF GOVERNMENT: OLIGARCHY
TYPES OF GOVERNMENT: OLIGARCHY
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TYPES OF GOVERNMENT: OLIGARCHY
TYPES OF GOVERNMENT: OLIGARCHY
Pros of Oligarchy
• Rulers are not chosen
by royal ancestry
• Efficient
– Small group makes
decisions instead of
everyone
• Collective
– Power/Responsibility not
invested in one person
TYPES OF GOVERNMENT: OLIGARCHY
Cons of Oligarchy
• “My government is so
corrupt! They only pass
laws to benefit
themselves!”
• “Only the wealthy get
to ‘elect’ our leaders.”
• “The middle class is
hurting while CEOs get
bonuses!”