Democracy vs. Oligarchy

Democracynoun

(uncountable) Rule by the people, especially as a form of government; either directly or through elected representatives (representative democracy).

Democracynoun

A government under the direct or representative rule of the people of its jurisdiction.

Democracynoun

(uncountable) Belief in political freedom and equality; the "spirit of democracy".

Democracynoun

Government by the people; a form of government in which the supreme power is retained and directly exercised by the people.

Democracynoun

Government by popular representation; a form of government in which the supreme power is retained by the people, but is indirectly exercised through a system of representation and delegated authority periodically renewed; a constitutional representative government; a republic.

Democracynoun

Collectively, the people, regarded as the source of government.

Democracynoun

The principles and policy of the Democratic party, so called.

Democracynoun

the political orientation of those who favor government by the people or by their elected representatives

Democracynoun

a political system in which the supreme power lies in a body of citizens who can elect people to represent them

Democracynoun

the doctrine that the numerical majority of an organized group can make decisions binding on the whole group

Democracy

Democracy (Greek: δημοκρατία, dēmokratiā, from dēmos 'people' and kratos 'rule') refers to a form of government in which the people either have the authority to choose their governing legislators, or the authority to decide on legislation. Who is considered part of the people and how authority is shared among or delegated by the people has changed over time and at different speeds in different countries, but more and more of the inhabitants of countries have generally been included.

Oligarchynoun

A government run by only a few, often the wealthy.

Oligarchynoun

Those who make up an oligarchic government.

Oligarchynoun

A state ruled by such a government.

Oligarchynoun

A form of government in which the supreme power is placed in the hands of a few persons; also, those who form the ruling few.

Oligarchynoun

a political system governed by a few people

Oligarchy

Oligarchy (from Greek ὀλιγαρχία (oligarkhía); from ὀλίγος (olígos) 'few', and ἄρχω (arkho) 'to rule or to command') is a form of power structure in which power rests with a small number of people. These people may or may not be distinguished by one or several characteristics, such as nobility, fame, wealth, education, corporate, religious, political, or military control.