Oligarchy vs monarchy

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Grammarist

An oligarchy is a small group of elite people who control a country, business, government or other institution. An oligarchy may also be a country or government that is controlled by a small group of elite people. An oligarchy may be an assembled clique of people or a particular select class of people, an oligarchy is usually considered tyrannical. Related words are oligarch, oligarchic, oligarchical, oligarchically. The word oligarchy is derived from the Greek word oligarkhia, which means government by the few.

A monarchy is a form of government that is headed by a king, queen, prince or other form of royalty. The leader of a monarchy inherits his or her status as supreme head of the government. A monarchy may also refer to the country that is being ruled by a member of that country’s royalty. Related words are monarch, monarchal, monarchial, monarchic. The word monarch is derived from the Greek word monarkhia, which means ruling by one.

Examples

The Democrats, on the other hand, had their nominee chosen in large part by the party oligarchy rather than by the voters. (The Washington Times)

“Clearly the oligarchy, the sort of vested interests who bankrolled the Remain campaign are now hoping they can somehow invoke a general election to muddy the waters and avoid a British withdrawal from the EU,” he told Sky News. (The Financial Times)

If examples from the past are a guide, oligarchy transforms into dictatorship followed by violent revolution (“epic crash”) when ordinary people at the lowest level feel they have had enough. (The Guardian)

For 18 years, it was an independent, broadly unified, functional state with a constitutional monarchy and a booming oil economy. (The Australian)

“Gradualism” is a popular word, even among those who would like to see their country become more like Spain, where the monarchy is largely ceremonial. (The Economist)

The tech world “is very happy to see a very modern monarchy,” adds Hoberman, who invited William to the event. (People Magazine)