oligarchic

American  

[ol-i-gahr-kik] / ˌɒl ɪˈgɑr kɪk /

Also oligarchical

adjective

1. of, relating to, or having the form of an oligarchy.

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Usage

What does oligarchic mean? Oligarchic is used to describe things that involve an oligarchy—a government or system in which power is held by a select few individuals or a small class of powerful people.Such people can be called oligarchs. Oligarchic is typically used to describe systems that resemble or function as oligarchies or the actions of people considered oligarchs.In an oligarchy, the oligarchs may be the actual leaders, or they may influence or control the decisions that the leaders make (meaning that they’re the ones “pulling the strings” behind the scenes).Oligarchy is never used as an official term for a form of government (like monarchy is, for example)—it’s almost always applied as a criticism of such situations. Describing something as oligarchic is frequently used as a way of pointing out the influence of the wealthy and powerful in politics and government—an influence that’s typically used to benefit themselves.A country that is thought to have an oligarchic government can also be referred to as an oligarchy, as in Many outsiders view the nation as an oppressive oligarchy.  Oligarchy can also refer to the class of people who have the power in this kind of system, as in The country was run by an oligarchy consisting of a few powerful industrialists.Example: Average citizens are angry because the oligarchic system is rigged to benefit the rich and powerful.

Other Word Forms

• nonoligarchic adjective
• nonoligarchical adjective
• oligarchically adverb

Etymology

Origin of oligarchic

1640–50; < Greek oligarchikós, equivalent to oligarch ( ía ) oligarchy + -ikos -ic

Example Sentences

Imperial overreach comes home: financial crisis, a Spartan fleet off the coast of Attica and an oligarchic coup in Athens.

From The Wall Street Journal

In these environments, oligarchic dynasties and familial networks create and sustain privileged microclimates of abundance — though mostly for their own exclusive benefit.

From Salon

“Some of them had oligarchic influences in the past, but so what, they got through it, and saw this as an opportunity to reset their image in an era of criticism of fossil fuels.”

From Washington Post

Yet the absence of an ideology among the oligarchs gives to oligarchic rule a flexibility lacking in autocratic forms of power.

From Salon

Nevermind that the structurally malign forces of corporate America — and the numerous right-wing billionaires heavily invested in ongoing assaults on democracy — appreciated the focus on Russia instead of on their own oligarchic power.

From Salon