plutocracy
UK[pluːˈtɒkrəsi]US[pluːˈtɑːkrəsi]
n
a form of government in which the wealthy rule or have the greatest influence.
n
a society or state governed in this way, or the wealthy ruling class within it.
Morpheme Breakdown
pluto
cracy
pluto
wealth
cracy
rule, government
Etymology
the word 'plutocracy' is a modern english formation directly from greek components. it combines 'ploutos', the greek god of the underworld whose name became synonymous with mineral wealth hidden in the earth, and '-kratia', a suffix denoting power or rule. the literal construction 'rule by wealth' accurately describes the political system where economic power translates directly into political authority. this term emerged in the 17th century to critique systems where the rich, rather than a hereditary nobility or the citizenry, held dominant control.
Analysis
Structure: pluto (wealth) + cracy (rule, government)
pluto: from greek 'ploutos', meaning 'wealth'. functions as the root, carrying the core semantic concept of riches.
cracy: from greek '-kratia', meaning 'rule, power, government'. functions as a combining form, indicating a type of governing system.
Examples
critics argued that the country was becoming a plutocracy, where policies favored the super-rich.
the history of the city-state reveals a cycle of democracy, oligarchy, and brief periods of plutocracy.
his book warns of the dangers of modern plutocracy undermining democratic principles.