Aristocracy vs. Plutocracy — What's the Difference?

Aristocracy (Greek: ἀριστοκρατία aristokratía, from ἄριστος aristos 'excellent', and κράτος, kratos 'rule') is a form of government that places strength in the hands of a small, privileged ruling class, the aristocrats. The term derives from the Greek aristokratia, meaning 'rule of the best'.At the time of the word's origins in ancient Greece, the Greeks conceived it as rule by the best-qualified citizens—and often contrasted it favorably with monarchy, rule by an individual.

A plutocracy (Greek: πλοῦτος, ploutos, 'wealth' and κράτος, kratos, 'power') or plutarchy is a society that is ruled or controlled by people of great wealth or income. The first known use of the term in English dates from 1631.

The highest class in certain societies, typically comprising people of noble birth holding hereditary titles and offices

Government by the wealthy.

A hereditary ruling class; nobility.

A wealthy class that controls a government.

Government by a ruling class.

A government or state in which the wealthy rule.

A state or country having this form of government.

Government by the wealthy.

Government by the citizens deemed to be best qualified to lead.

A controlling class of the wealthy.

A state having such a government.

A form of government in which the supreme power is lodged in the hands of the wealthy classes; government by the rich; also, a controlling or influential class of rich men.

A group or class considered superior to others.

A political system governed by the wealthy people

The nobility, or the hereditary ruling class.

Government by such a class, or a state with such a government

A class of people considered (not normally universally) superior to others

Government by the best citizens.

A ruling body composed of the best citizens.

A form a government, in which the supreme power is vested in the principal persons of a state, or in a privileged order; an oligarchy.

The nobles or chief persons in a state; a privileged class or patrician order; (in a popular use) those who are regarded as superior to the rest of the community, as in rank, fortune, or intellect.

A privileged class holding hereditary titles

The most powerful members of a society