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Plutocracy: meaning, pronunciation and examples
Plutocracy noun. Government by the rich, or a society in which wealth buys power.
How to say it
ploo-TOK-ruh-see/pluːˈtɒkrəsi/
4 syllables, stressed on the second (TOK). Forms: plutocrat, plutocrats.
Plutocracy in a sentence
When only millionaires can afford to run for office, critics warn that democracy drifts towards plutocracy.
The satire imagined a plutocracy where votes were sold at auction.
Similar and opposite
Similar:
- rule by the wealthy
- oligarchy
Where plutocracy comes from
From Greek ploutos, wealth, and kratos, power.
Test yourself
Which word fills the gap?
The satire imagined a _____ where votes were sold at auction.
- plutocracy
- referendum
- theocracy
Show the answer
plutocracy: The satire imagined a plutocracy where votes were sold at auction.