plutocracy

[ ploo-tok-ruh-see ]

noun

, plural plu·toc·ra·cies.

1. the rule or power of wealth or of the wealthy.
2. a government or state in which the wealthy class rules.
3. a class or group ruling, or exercising power or influence, by virtue of its wealth.

plutocracy

/ ˌpluːtəˈkrætɪk; pluːˈtɒkrəsɪ /

noun

1. the rule or control of society by the wealthy
2. a state or government characterized by the rule of the wealthy
3. a class that exercises power by virtue of its wealth

plutocracy

1. Government by the rich. The term is usually one of reproach.

Derived Forms

• plutocratic, adjective
• ˌplutoˈcratically, adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of plutocracy¹

1645–55; < Greek ploutokratía, equivalent to ploûto ( s ) wealth + -kratia -cracy

Word History and Origins

Origin of plutocracy¹

C17: from Greek ploutokratia government by the rich, from ploutos wealth + -kratia rule, power

Example Sentences

They want to return the United States to the Gilded Age — if not before — as they transform the country into a new apartheid Christofascist plutocracy.

From Salon

In total, American democracy will be transformed into an Apartheid White Christian plutocracy where a very small number of rich white men who will literally be above the law will make decisions for hundreds of millions of people.

From Salon

Trump is a type of weapon and cudgel for them to create an American apartheid theocratic plutocracy.

From Salon

American fascism is a type of blended plutocracy where the global scope of capitalist rationalization is seamlessly integrated into the bureaucracy, technology, hierarchy, and institutional and political structures, whose power is camouflaged by the banality of its appearances and especially because it is draped in the fleshy propaganda of freedom and democracy.

From Salon

Public opinion and other research have consistently shown that they view Trump as a weapon in their campaign to end multiracial pluralistic democracy and to turn the country into a White Christofascist new Apartheid plutocracy where “Christians” like them will rule unchallenged over all others.

From Salon