plutocracy

The definition of a plutocracy is a political system where the wealthy govern.

(noun)

When the richest people have all of the power in a society and make all of the political decisions, this is an example of a plutocracy.

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See plutocracy in Webster's New World College Dictionary

noun pl. plutocracies

  1. government by the wealthy
  2. a group of wealthy people who control or influence a government

Origin: Gr ploutokratia < ploutos, wealth, akin to plein, to float, swim (< IE base *pel- > full) + kratein, to rule

See plutocracy in American Heritage Dictionary 4

noun pl. plu·toc·ra·cies
  1. Government by the wealthy.
  2. A wealthy class that controls a government.
  3. A government or state in which the wealthy rule.

Origin:

Origin: Greek ploutokratiā

Origin: : ploutos, wealth; see pleu- in Indo-European roots

Origin: + -kratiā, -cracy

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Related Forms:

  • pluˈto·cratˌ (plo͞oˈtə-krătˌ) noun
  • pluˌto·cratˈic, pluˌto·cratˈi·cal adjective
  • pluˌto·cratˈi·cal·ly adverb

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