Aristocracy vs. Plutocracy

Aristocracynoun

The nobility, or the hereditary ruling class.

Plutocracynoun

Government by the wealthy.

Aristocracynoun

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

Plutocracynoun

A controlling class of the wealthy.

Aristocracynoun

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

Plutocracynoun

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.

Aristocracynoun

Government by the best citizens.

Plutocracynoun

a political system governed by the wealthy people

Aristocracynoun

A ruling body composed of the best citizens.

‘In the SenateRight not our quest in this, I will protest themTo all the world, no aristocracy.’;

Plutocracy

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.

Aristocracynoun

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 aristocracy of Venice hath admitted so many abuses, trough the degeneracy of the nobles, that the period of its duration seems approach.’;

Aristocracynoun

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.

Aristocracynoun

a privileged class holding hereditary titles

Aristocracynoun

the most powerful members of a society

Aristocracynoun

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

‘members of the aristocracy’;

Aristocracynoun

a form of government in which power is held by the nobility.

Aristocracynoun

a state in which governing power is held by the nobility.

Aristocracynoun

a group regarded as privileged or superior in a particular sphere

‘Britain's pop aristocracy’; ‘a new aristocracy of talented young people’;

Aristocracy

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.