Oligarchy vs. Republic — What's the Difference?

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.

A republic (Latin: res publica, meaning "public affair") is a form of government in which "power is held by the people and their elected representatives". In republics, the country is considered a "public matter", not the private concern or property of the rulers.

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

A state in which supreme power is held by the people and their elected representatives, and which has an elected or nominated president rather than a monarch.

Those making up such a government.

A political order whose head of state is not a monarch and in modern times is usually a president.

A state governed by a few persons.

A nation that has such a political order.

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

A political order in which the supreme power lies in a body of citizens who are entitled to vote for officers and representatives responsible to them.

Those who make up an oligarchic government.

A nation that has such a political order.

A state ruled by such a government.

Often Republic A specific republican government of a nation

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.

An autonomous or partially autonomous political and territorial unit belonging to a sovereign federation.

A political system governed by a few people

A group of people working as equals in the same sphere or field

A state where sovereignty rests with the people or their representatives, rather than with a monarch or emperor; a country with no monarchy.

(archaic) A state, which may or may not be a monarchy, in which the executive and legislative branches of government are separate.

One of the subdivisions constituting Russia. See oblast.

Common weal.

A state in which the sovereign power resides in the whole body of the people, and is exercised by representatives elected by them; a commonwealth. Cf. Democracy, 2.

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

A form of government whose head of state is not a monarch;