Plutocracy
noun /pluːˈtɒk.rə.si/ — Government or control by the wealthy; a society dominated by wealth.
Definition
Government by the wealthy; a state or society governed by or in the interest of the richest members. A plutocracy may be a nominal democracy — but power follows money.
Beyond the definition
The plutocracy doesn't declare itself. It operates through legal systems, campaign finance, lobbying, and the quiet assumption that what is good for the wealthy is good for everyone. The most effective power is invisible.
Origin & history
Greek: 'ploutos' (wealth, riches) + 'kratos' (power). Pluto, god of the underworld, was also associated with hidden wealth — what lies beneath the earth.
Example sentences
Illustrative sentences for learning, not verified community posts or sourced quotations.
The study found that in America, policy outcomes correlated almost entirely with the preferences of the wealthy — a functioning plutocracy.
The city's plutocracy was self-sustaining: the wealthy funded the politicians who protected the wealthy.
Every democracy contains plutocratic tendencies. The question is who names them.
How to use it
This entry uses a noun. Follow the examples for articles and singular or plural forms; not every noun takes “a” or “an.”
Choose “Plutocracy” when the meaning fits your context: Government by the wealthy; a state or society governed by or in the interest of the richest members. A plutocracy may be a nominal democracy — but power follows money.
Synonyms
moneyed class, rich rule, oligarchy
Antonyms
democracy, egalitarianism, social equality
Related words
Plutocracy vs oligarchy
Plutocracy highlights wealth as the primary qualification for power. Oligarchy is the broader category describing rule by a small group, regardless of their specific source of status.
Word in the Wild
See how this word appears in life, language and stories.
Illustrative sentences and imagined stories for learning — not verified sightings, interviews, or sourced quotations.
Fictional scene
Staircase Representing Social Hierarchy
A large staircase shows people at different levels dressed in distinct, hierarchical styles of clothing.
The hierarchy on the staircase, when defined by who has the most valuable clothing or status, represents a plutocracy where power and influence flow directly from one's economic standing.
Image credit: Wordspun · AI-generated conceptual illustration
Questions about this word
What does "Plutocracy" mean?
Plutocracy is noun meaning: Government or control by the wealthy; a society dominated by wealth.. Government by the wealthy; a state or society governed by or in the interest of the richest members. A plutocracy may be a nominal democracy — but power follows money.
Where does the word "Plutocracy" come from?
Greek: 'ploutos' (wealth, riches) + 'kratos' (power). Pluto, god of the underworld, was also associated with hidden wealth — what lies beneath the earth.