Politics dictionary
broligarchy
[ brol-i-gahr-kee ]
What does broligarchy mean?
Broligarchy is a slang term describing a system dominated by wealthy male figures in positions of power, especially those working in venture capital and technology sectors. It combines bro, casually meaning “a male peer or friend,” with oligarchy, meaning “rule by a few.” Commentators use it to describe circles of tech entrepreneurs and investors whose combined influence shapes business, politics, and media. These “tech bros,” as they’re sometimes called, may share the same ideologies and wealthy lifestyles.
Where does broligarchy come from?
The term gained traction during the 2024 U.S. presidential election when Donald Trump was elected to another term. During this time, it was used to describe the growing power network among figures such as Elon Musk and Peter Thiel, whose ventures, investments, and political donations intersect. TIME published “The Rise of America’s Broligarchy” in early 2025, framing this elite group as an informal ruling class of tech magnates.
The word also appeared way back in the early 2000s in the context of surfing; local surfers might be accused of being a broligarchy if they controlled the use of a favored surf spot and access to prime waves. But its political sense expanded more rapidly as opinion columns and think-tank essays picked it up in 2024 and 2025. The portmanteau captures the cultural frustration with tight, male-led networks that dominate wealth, business, and politics.
Examples of broligarchy
Who uses broligarchy?
Journalists, commentators, and academics employ the term in writing about Silicon Valley culture, startup ecosystems, and political finance. It also appears in podcasts and television panels where experts discuss corporate influence. The word remains rare in everyday speech but has become a popular headline shorthand for describing elite tech circles with shared ideology and resources.
Note
This is not meant to be a formal definition of broligarchy like most terms we define on Dictionary.com, but is rather an informal word summary that hopefully touches upon the key aspects of the meaning and usage of broligarchy that will help our users expand their word mastery.
