plutocratic

American  

[ploo-tuh-krat-ik] / ˌplu təˈkræt ɪk /

Often plutocratical

adjective

1. of, relating to, or characterized by a plutocracy or plutocrats.

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Usage

What does plutocratic mean? Plutocratic is used to describe things that involve a plutocracy—a government in which wealthy people use their wealth to rule. Such people can be called plutocrats. Plutocratic is typically used to describe systems that resemble or function as plutocracies or the actions of people considered plutocrats. In a plutocracy, the plutocrats may be the actual leaders, or they may influence or control the decisions that the leaders make. Plutocracy is never used as an official term for a form of government (like democracy is, for example)—it’s almost always applied as a criticism of such situations. Describing something as plutocratic is a way of pointing out inequality and the powerful influence of the wealthy in politics and government. A country that is thought to have a plutocratic government can also be referred to as a plutocracy, as in Many outsiders saw the nation as an oppressive plutocracy. Plutocracy can also refer to the power that this kind of wealth can allow, as in His latest column explains his belief that the government has been corrupted by plutocracy. It can also refer to the wealthy class that is using wealth to rule, as in The businessman was accused of being a member of the plutocracy. Example: Average citizens are angry because they believe billionaires have created a plutocratic system to benefit themselves and their fellow plutocrats.

Other Word Forms

• nonplutocratic
  adjective
• nonplutocratical
  adjective
• plutocratically
  adverb
• unplutocratic
  adjective
• unplutocratical
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of plutocratic

First recorded in 1865–70; plutocrat + -ic

Explanation

Use the adjective plutocratic to describe people or systems that are controlled by wealth. A plutocratic government puts all the power in the hands of those with large amounts of money. Plutocratic is often used in a disapproving way to talk about governments that allow people to essentially buy power and influence. An extremely wealthy person who uses their money to get elected is plutocratic, as is an official who accepts financial contributions and gives favors in return. When money is used this way, to influence policy and political appointments, the system is plutocratic. The Greek root, ploutos, means "wealth."

Example Sentences

The laws designed to restrict price predation also helped not merely to arrest the consolidation of power begun during the Plutocratic era, but to reverse the process.

From Slate • Apr. 12, 2012

The Plutocratic Gentleman of Leisure who Amuses Himself.—Here we have a deliberate imitation of a well-known figure of the older civilizations.

From Search-Light Letters by Grant, Robert

There had been little stir when the Plutocratic convention was in progress three weeks before.

From The Transgressors Story of a Great Sin by Adams, Francis A.

The Chicago Auditorium is selected as the quarters of the Plutocratic contingent.

From The Transgressors Story of a Great Sin by Adams, Francis A.

His calculation of the membership of these divisions by occupation, from the United States Census of 1900, is as follows: Plutocratic class, 250,251; Middle class, 8,429,845; and Proletariat class, 20,393,137.

From The Iron Heel by London, Jack