plutocracy

plu·toc·ra·cy

noun \plü-ˈtä-krə-sē\

plural plu·toc·ra·cies

Definition of PLUTOCRACY

1

: government by the wealthy

2

: a controlling class of the wealthy

— plu·to·crat \ˈplü-tə-ˌkrat\ noun

— plu·to·crat·ic \ˌplü-tə-ˈkra-tik\ adjective

— plu·to·crat·i·cal·ly \-ti-k(ə-)lē\ adverb

Examples of PLUTOCRACY

1. If only the wealthy can afford to run for public office, are we more a plutocracy than a democracy?
2. corporate greed and America's growing plutocracy

Origin of PLUTOCRACY

Greek ploutokratia, from ploutos wealth; akin to Greek plein to sail, float — more at flow

First Known Use: 1652

Other Government and Politics Terms

agent provocateur, agitprop, autarky, cabal, egalitarianism, federalism, hegemony, plenipotentiary, popular sovereignty, socialism