oligarchy

Rule of the few, in their own interests. It was first identified as a form of government by the Greek philosopher Aristotle. In modern times there have been a number of oligarchies, sometimes posing as democracies; the paramilitary rule of the Duvalier family in Haiti, 1957–86, is an example.

In ancient Greece an oligarchy meant a constitution where a portion of the community was in possession of power, for example the governments of Thebes, Megara, and Corinth. At this time, although it was acknowledged that an aristocracy often developed into an oligarchy, the two were distinguished: ‘oligarchy’ meaning the government of the wealthy, who were looked upon as directing their efforts towards their own betterment and the maintenance of their own power and privileges, while ‘aristocracy’ meant the rule of the best people for the public good.