plutarchy
Definition
- Noun:
- Government by the wealthy: "plutarchy" refers to a system of government or society in which the wealthy class holds political power and influence.
- A ruling class of the rich: The term also denotes the group of wealthy individuals who collectively dominate and control a state or organization.
Usage Examples
- (A government where the rich hold power.)
- (A society dominated by the wealthy class.)
Advanced Usage
- "plutarchy vs. plutocracy": While often used interchangeably, "plutarchy" emphasizes the (from Greek , "to rule") of the wealthy, whereas "plutocracy" focuses on the (from , "power"). In practice, both refer to governance by the rich.
- The historian distinguished between a plutarchy, where the rich directly govern, and a plutocracy, where they influence policy indirectly.
Variants and Related Words
Plutocrat (n): a person who has power because of their wealth.
- The billionaire was a classic plutocrat, using his fortune to sway elections. (A wealthy individual who wields political influence.)
Plutocratic (adj): relating to or characteristic of a plutarchy or plutocracy.
- The country's plutocratic tendencies were evident in its tax policies. (Pertaining to rule by the wealthy.)
Synonyms
- Plutocracy: government by the wealthy (the more common term).
- Oligarchy: government by a small, privileged group (often overlapping with plutarchy if the group is wealthy).
- Timocracy: a form of government where only property owners can participate (historically related to wealth-based rule).
Related Idioms
"The rich get richer": a phrase describing how plutarchies tend to concentrate wealth and power, making the wealthy class increasingly dominant.
- In a plutarchy, the rich get richer while the poor struggle to have a voice. (Wealth reinforces political control.)
"Money talks": an idiom referring to the influence of wealth in decision-making, typical of a plutarchy.
- In this plutarchy, money talks louder than votes. (Wealth dictates outcomes.)