Oligarchy

The oligarchy (from Greek ὀλιγαρχία oligarchia " rule by the few ", composed of ὀλίγοι oligoi "Few " and ἀρχή Ark "dominion" ) is the classical ( ancient ) constitutional theory the degeneracy of the aristocracy. In order to delineate this meaning and reflection on the real meaning of the word itself and the equally significant term oligarchy (Greek κρατία kratia " domination ", " power ", " strength" ) is used today.

Past theorizing

Basic forms of constitutions ( according to Polybius ):

The oligarchy in Plato ( 427-347 BC) is the lawless rule of the rich, who are interested only in their self-interest. It falls as the aristocracy under the rule of the few, which is considered legitimate, focused on the common good rule. This idea was first by his pupil Aristotle ( 384-324 BC), and later by the Greek historian Polybius developed ( about 200 BC - about 118 BC). Basically existed in the ancient theory of the state since Plato the idea that each oriented to the common good form of government ( monarchy [ also: basileia ], aristocracy, democracy ) a degenerate, oriented only to the interests of the ruling class counterpart has ( tyranny, oligarchy, ochlocracy ).

From the assumption out that these six basic forms of constitutions are necessarily unstable, especially Polybius has the idea of ​​the Constitution circuit developed that sets these forms of domination to one another.

The Hungarian historiography uses the term oligarchs for the powerful nobles of the 13th and 14th centuries, which eventually gained control over their own little kingdoms from 1301 to into the 1320er years.

Term use in the presence

Today, the term is mostly used in the further, literally: In any complex society, there is a breakdown of the fields, but also the political planning and management functions. Thus, a ruling class is emerging, which is not always statesmanlike qualities ( as " aristocracy " ) must be distinguished, but often also diverges only by their origin, their property or their functions from the other. Robert Michels (1876-1936) speaks after Gaetano Mosca from an " iron law of oligarchy ". In modern states to such power elites include in particular the top officials of political parties, most of which are also members of the government, senior officials of the state bureaucracy, military officials, major shareholders, industry manager, leading union officials, press barons, senior editors of influential mass media and holding high religious offices. Among the important structural features of oligarchies include the degree to which they are open to an extension of the total population or crusting, particularly tend to solidify by inheritance. That representative democracy is heavily infiltrated with oligarchic components, stresses in particular Karl Loewenstein (1891-1973) produced.

In Russia, the term oligarch is also used since the 1990s to refer to businessmen suspected by the general public that they came in the chaotic period after the dissolution of the Soviet Union by unlawful means to great wealth and political influence. The term was taken up in relation to Russia by German and international media. Since the presidential elections in 2004, the term is also used in relation to Ukraine.