plutocracy
C1/C2formal, academic, political
Definition
Meaning
A system of government where the wealthy rule; government by the rich.
A state, society, or group governed by wealthy people. More broadly, a class or group of people whose power derives from their wealth.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
The term is primarily a political/economic descriptor. It can refer to both a formal governing system (as in ancient Greek city-states) and, more commonly, a de facto or informal control of a society by the wealthy elite, often used critically.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The meaning and usage are identical. Slight preference in UK English for its classical/academic origins (e.g., references to 19th-century 'plutocrats'). American usage is more frequent in contemporary political discourse critiquing wealth inequality.
Connotations
Strongly negative in both varieties. Implies corruption, unfair influence, and the subversion of democratic ideals for the benefit of the rich.
Frequency
Low frequency in both, but slightly higher in American English due to active political discourse on economic inequality.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
The country became a [plutocracy].They warned against the dangers of [plutocracy].The [plutocracy] controls the media.Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “None directly associated. Related concept: 'the one percent', 'money talks'.”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Rare; used critically to describe competitor nations or systems seen as unfairly dominated by a few wealthy conglomerates.
Academic
Common in political science, sociology, and history to analyse power structures, inequality, and the influence of capital.
Everyday
Very rare. Used in sophisticated political discussion or protest slogans (e.g., 'Down with the plutocracy!').
Technical
Specific in political theory; denotes a distinct form of government in classification systems (e.g., autocracy, democracy, plutocracy).
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- 'Plutocratise' is theoretically possible but exceedingly rare and not standard.
American English
- No standard verb form.
adverb
British English
- No standard adverb form.
American English
- No standard adverb form.
adjective
British English
- The plutocratic elite showed little concern for the poor.
American English
- The system's plutocratic tendencies were evident in its tax policies.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- (Not applicable for A2 level.)
- The protestors said the country was becoming a plutocracy.
- Many argue that unchecked capitalism can lead to a form of plutocracy rather than a true democracy.
- Historians debate whether the Gilded Age in America represented a temporary plutocratic capture of the state or a more enduring feature of its political economy.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of PLUTO (the god of wealth/the underworld) + CRACY (rule). So, 'rule by wealth'.
Conceptual Metaphor
WEALTH IS A POLITICAL ENTITY / MONEY IS A RULER.
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Не путать с 'плутократия' (прямой перевод) и 'олигархия'. 'Олигархия' (oligarchy) может быть шире — власть немногих, не обязательно только по признаку богатства (может быть военная, партийная). 'Плутократия' — частный случай олигархии, где критерий — богатство.
Common Mistakes
- Mispronunciation: /plʌ-/. Correct is /pluː-/.
- Misspelling: 'plutocrasy', 'plutocrisy'.
- Confusing with 'plutocrat' (a member of the plutocracy).
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following is the BEST definition of 'plutocracy'?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. An oligarchy is rule by a small group. A plutocracy is a specific type of oligarchy where that small group is defined by its wealth.
Analysts often use the term to describe a situation where a country has democratic forms (elections) but where wealth so heavily influences policy and outcomes that it functions as a de facto plutocracy.
A plutocrat is an individual who is powerful because of their wealth, i.e., a member of the plutocracy.
There isn't a single perfect opposite. Concepts include democracy (rule by the people), meritocracy (rule by the talented), or socialism (where the means of production are socially owned, theoretically preventing rule by a wealthy few).
Collections
Part of a collection
Political Theory
C2 · 44 words · Advanced vocabulary for political science and theory.