aristocracy

Social elite or system of political power associated with landed wealth, as in Western Europe; with monetary wealth, as in Carthage and Venice; or with religious superiority, as were the Brahmans in India. Aristocracies are also usually associated with monarchy but have frequently been in conflict with the sovereign over their respective rights and privileges. In Europe, their economic base was undermined during the 19th century by inflation and falling agricultural prices, leading to their demise as a political force after 1914.

The Prussian (Junker) aristocracy based its legitimacy not only on landed wealth but also on service to the state.

Aristocracy was one of Aristotle's six original categories of government. Literally, it means government in the interests of the whole community by the most virtuous.