We explain what oligarchy is, how it originated and examples of this regime. Also, what are its characteristics and consequences.
What is Oligarchy?
Oligarchy is understood as a regime or a form of government in which power resides in the hands of a fewgenerally belonging to the same class or social stratum, called oligarchs.
Is about a term close to that of aristocracywith which it presents differences since the oligarchy does not start from the precept of being the ideal class to hold power, but simply holds it.
It is often used as a synonym for oligarchythe government of a tiny minority compared to the social universe.
Oligarchy consists of the political control of the State by a minority sector, which It may well be a political, economic, ethnic or military eliteas long as it has the instruments to exercise the monopoly of power and perpetuate itself in command.
See also: Technocracy.
Origin of the term
The term It comes from Greek: olígos translates as “few” and arko as “command.”which together would mean “the mandate of a few.”
The first to use it was Plato, the Greek philosopher, who valued aristocracy as the government of the best and fittest, but saw in it the risk of degenerating into an oligarchy or oligocracy, since aristocrats would inherit power to their offspring who would not necessarily share his wisdom and principles, but would retain power.
History of oligarchy
The oligarchy has accompanied humanity throughout its political historysince power always seems to be held by a privileged minority, with access to the tools to shape society as they wish.
Such is the case of the leaders and emperors who were established in ancient times and who governed in favor of their relatives and friends, or of the castes of the Florentine bourgeoisie of the Renaissance such as the Medici, who accumulated political power thanks to their influence in international trade and enrichment.
Oligarchy as a social scheme
It’s not just about oligarchy when the government of a State is exercised: Also when there is a monopoly on the resources of a demanded good, we can speak of an economic, business oligarchy, etc. It is a social scheme of concentration of powers, which can occur in any area and at any time.
Even in communist regimes, supporters of forced collectivization and the abolition of private property, Paradoxically, oligarchies emerge around the single governing party and the State bureaucracy that concentrates all power.
Examples of oligarchy
Throughout history, examples of oligarchies are abundant. A possible example is the famous south african apartheidin which the white minority governed the black majority and imposed segregationist, impoverishing laws on them, which did not allow them to develop as human beings.
A last case is, as paradoxical as it may seem, that of the Castro brothersdictatorial rulers of the island of Cuba since the mid-20th century, who have perpetuated themselves in power through the single-party government of their communist regime.
Consequences of oligarchy
The possible consequences of a prolonged oligarchy are:
- Impoverishment of the monopolized economic sector, since no one can compete with the oligarchs.
- Inequity in the distribution of assets, since the oligarchy is often made up of landowners, politicians or large capitalists.
- Resentment of the sectors marginalized by the oligarchy.
- Weakening of democratic or republican structures, if any.
- Corruption and injustice.
Fight against oligarchies
It has often been said that every republican government must fight against the oligarchies within it, seeking the fair and equitable distribution of wealth and goods, renewing their government positions frequently and promoting comptrollership and fighting impunity. However, this task seems to go against human nature itself, which tends toward selfishness and the benefit of a few despite the discomfort of many.
Differences with democracy
Oligarchy and democracy They are clearly distinguished in the way they exercise powersince the latter allows the majority to express its wishes by voting, even if it is to designate those who will ultimately make the decisions.
While an oligarchic government, even if it is the result of a democratic election, will tend to Concentrate power in a minority and obey its interests and not to the people in general.
Differences with tyranny
People say that an oligarchy is the tyranny of a fewso it is actually quite close to this despotic and imperative political model.
However, The oligarchy distributes power among a caste or an elite., a small circle of privileged people, rather than a single figure or leader. It is more similar, if you will, to the aristocracy.
Continued on: Tyranny.
The monopolies
most of oligarchies operate on the basis of a monopolythat is, the captive, sometimes mafia-like, management of some type of property or some specific power.
For example, business oligarchies concentrate economic power, usually through monopolies in their corporate branch, which are obtained thanks to political influence in the State.
Conflicts between oligarchies
It happens sometimes that different oligarchies confront each other for control of nationsas occurred in some civil wars, such as the Venezuelan Federal War.
In her Two forms of oligarchy fought each other: the conservative and the liberalboth represented by minority and well-off parties whose country models were mutually exclusive.