Democracy vs. Oligarchy — What's the Difference?

Democracy (Greek: δημοκρατία, dēmokratiā, from dēmos 'people' and kratos 'rule') refers to a form of government in which the people either have the authority to choose their governing legislators, or the authority to decide on legislation. Who is considered part of the people and how authority is shared among or delegated by the people has changed over time and at different speeds in different countries, but more and more of the inhabitants of countries have generally been included.

Oligarchy (from Greek ὀλιγαρχία (oligarkhía); from ὀλίγος (olígos) 'few', and ἄρχω (arkho) 'to rule or to command') is a form of power structure in which power rests with a small number of people. These people may or may not be distinguished by one or several characteristics, such as nobility, fame, wealth, education, corporate, religious, political, or military control.

Government by the people, exercised either directly or through elected representatives.

Government by a few, especially by a small faction of persons or families.

A political or social unit that has such a government.

Those making up such a government.

The common people, considered as the primary source of political power.

A state governed by a few persons.

Majority rule.

A government run by only a few, often the wealthy.

The principles of social equality and respect for the individual within a community.

Those who make up an oligarchic government.

(uncountable) Rule by the people, especially as a form of government; either directly or through elected representatives (representative democracy).

A state ruled by such a government.

A government under the direct or representative rule of the people of its jurisdiction.

A form of government in which the supreme power is placed in the hands of a few persons; also, those who form the ruling few.

(countable) A state with a democratic system of government.

A political system governed by a few people

(uncountable) Belief in political freedom and equality; the "spirit of democracy".

Government by the people; a form of government in which the supreme power is retained and directly exercised by the people.

Government by popular representation; a form of government in which the supreme power is retained by the people, but is indirectly exercised through a system of representation and delegated authority periodically renewed; a constitutional representative government; a republic.

Collectively, the people, regarded as the source of government.

The principles and policy of the Democratic party, so called.

The political orientation of those who favor government by the people or by their elected representatives

A political system in which the supreme power lies in a body of citizens who can elect people to represent them

The doctrine that the numerical majority of an organized group can make decisions binding on the whole group