polyarchy

American  

[pol-ee-ahr-kee] / ˈpɒl iˌɑr ki /

noun

plural

polyarchies

1. a form of government in which power is vested in three or more persons.

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polyarchy British  

/ ˈpɒlɪˌɑːkɪ /

noun

1. a political system in which power is dispersed

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Other Word Forms

• polyarchic adjective
• polyarchical adjective

Etymology

Origin of polyarchy

First recorded in 1600–10; poly- + -archy

Explanation

A polyarchy is a government in which many citizens have some amount of power and control over their elected leaders. Most political scientists consider the U.S. to be a polyarchy. American political scientist Robert Dahl coined polyarchy, or "rule of the many," from poly-, "many," and -archy, "rule." In Dahl's definition of the term, a polyarchy is a government in the process of becoming democratic, rather than a full-fledged democracy. Dahl saw the ideal democratic government as being controlled by all of its citizens — a polyarchy, on the other hand, is controlled by a "plurality," or large group of people.

Example Sentences

It seemed that vast horns and promontories ran down from all parts of his dominions towards any country whatsoever, in either hemisphere,—empire or republic, monarchy, polyarchy, or anarchy,—that he might have reasons for assaulting.

From Autobiographical Sketches by De Quincey, Thomas

There is but one normal state-form; monarchy and polyarchy are mere differences in administrative forms.

From History of Modern Philosophy From Nicolas of Cusa to the Present Time by Falckenberg, Richard