The term is derived from Greek word “politeia” meaning “the state”. “Polish magnates 1576-1586” By Jan Matejko – (Public Domain) via Commons Wikimedia. Oligarchy and aristocracy are classical regimes or forms of government discussed by Plato, the Greek philosopher. Ask for details ; Follow Report by Chris5643 09/28/2017 Log in to add a comment Answer. An oligarchy is a form of government in which power is held by a small number of individuals from elite or noble families. • Aristocrats are not connected to royal families through blood, but they are second in the social hierarchy. 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. Oligarchy vs. Aristocracy. What is the difference between Monarchy and Aristocracy? The most important difference between Aristocracy and Oligarchy is the reason why those citizen become heads of state. In summary, an aristocracy is a privileged group of any size, and an oligarchy is a small group or faction. : Solon let all Athenians citizens participate in the assembly. It was only in the later centuries (during Middle Ages) that aristocracy began to be known as a rule by a privileged group – the aristocratic class. Difference Between Aristocracy and Oligarchy, Difference Between Federalism and Regionalism. Aristocracy was a favorable form of governance compared to monarchy. The society is divided between the rich and the poor, and the rich are entrusted with the power to rule the people. • Oligarchy is the rule of the few in a generic way whereas aristocracy is a form of governance where administration or power is in the hands of a special class of people having privileges. What are the four basic principles of Roman Law? Your favorite song. aristocracy | oligarchy | As nouns the difference between aristocracy and oligarchy is that aristocracy is the nobility, or the hereditary ruling class while oligarchy is a government run by only a … This is because it contains elements or characteristic of oligarchy and democracy. • Plato considered aristocracy to be the best form of governance with the most competent and able people in charge whereas, in oligarchy, the focus is upon division between rich and poor. First Day Homework (In-Class Notecard) “Do Now!” 8/10. Aristocracy and oligarchy are two type of government systems where the society is ruled by a few people. Oligarchy is the rule of the few in a generic way where on the other hand aristocracy is a form of governing where administration or power is in the hands of a special class of people. What steps did Cleisthenes take to strengthen democracy in Athens? • Oligarchy is the rule of the few in a generic way whereas aristocracy is a form of governance where administration or power is in the hands of a special class of people having privileges. Oligarchy is the rule of the chosen few, and these chosen few happen to be the rich and the privileged in Oligarchy. An aristocracy is a government run by a small group of noble landowning families. It can foster creativity and innovation because people are free from worries about running society. Difference Between Democracy and Non Democracy, Difference Between Autocracy and Oligarchy, Difference Between Democracy and Monarchy, Difference Between Totalitarianism and Authoritarianism, Difference Between Government and Parliament, Difference Between Coronavirus and Cold Symptoms, Difference Between Coronavirus and Influenza, Difference Between Coronavirus and Covid 19, Difference Between Comparative and Competitive Advantage, Difference Between Quiescent and Senescent Cells, Difference Between Chesapeake Bay Retriever and Labrador Retriever, Difference Between Symmetric and Asymmetric Stem Cell Division, Difference Between Artificial Selection and Genetic Engineering, Difference Between Direct and Indirect Hormone Action, Difference Between Steroid and Corticosteroid. Let us take a closer look. A small group – not necessarily members of the nobility -- rules an oligarchy. He contrasts aristocracy with oligarchy, democracy, and politeia by pointing out that these forms of government concern themselves only with questions of wealth. However, aristocracy has often been contrasted with democracy since the French Revolution. A plutocracyis a form of government run, or influenced by, the wealthiest members of society. Aristocrats are connected to royal families through blood, whereas an Oligarchy is not. How was living in Athens different from living in Sparta? ARISTOCRACY. The term came into prominence in the context of ancient Greece where a class of eminent citizens was deemed best qualified to rule the people. 1 Answers. Aristocracy: The authority and power to rule may pass from family. • Oligarchy is seen as a rule of the powerful and corrupt officials whereas aristocracy is considered a refined version of oligarchy. Monarchies and aristocracies have their roots in ancient societies, but today, they are not very common in societies. Compare the Difference Between Similar Terms. How does an aristocracy differ from an oligarchy? The other forms of government discussed by him are Timocracy, democracy, and tyranny. An aristocracy is more of a societal term that... See full answer below. These principles and other details can be studied at Oligarchy Definition and Aristocracy Definition. Whats different: Oligarchy is the rule of the few in a generic way where on the other hand aristocracy is a form of governing where administration or power is in the hands of a special class of people. July 12, 2016. As nouns the difference between oligarchy and monarchy is that oligarchy is a government run by only a few, often the wealthy while monarchy is a government in which sovereignty is embodied within a single, today usually hereditary head of state (whether as a figurehead or as a powerful ruler). These people belonged to upper class and were referred to as aristocrats. An aristocracy is ruled by a noble family, while an oligarchy is ruled by rich, powerful people in an agreement 7. Asked By administrator @ 06/07/2019 09:11 PM. Recent Posts. According to Brand, oligarchy is “rule of the few (Brand,n.d., pg 9).” Sparta, much like Athens and the majority of other city-states in Greece, was an aristocracy. In ancient Greece, citizens thought that moral and intellectual sup… Assuming that the “best” people would act in the best interest of the country, Plato believed that aristocracy was superior to all other forms of governance. An aristocracy is a very powerful group. Cons. As its etymology suggests, the concept of aristocracy first … 4. As its etymology suggests, the concept of aristocracy first appeared in ancient Greece, and it referred to the rule by the best-qualified citizens. In earlier times, it was believed that moral and intellectual superiority gets passed down from through family lines. How does an aristocracy differ from an oligarchy? Polity is view as a mixed regime. Filed Under: Government Tagged With: aristocracy, Oligarchy. Answer to: An oligarchy is best defined as By signing up, you'll get thousands of step-by-step solutions to your homework questions. In an oligarchy, the nobles r men of high position are there not because of birth rights but because of their financial position. Terms of Use and Privacy Policy: Legal. 4. Aristocracy is a form of government where power is held by the nobility whereas oligarchy is a form of government where power is held by a small group of people. What is Aristocracy. Aristocrats are connected to royal families through blood, whereas an Oligarchy is not. He believed aristocracy to be the best form of governance with tyranny being the worst. plutocracy: 1 n a political system governed by the wealthy people Type of: form of government , political system the members of a social organization who are in power Have a special pile for mail b. Hasa has a BA degree in English, French and Translation studies. The main difference between an aristocracy and an oligarchy is the role and functions that each serve. What contributions did Solon and Cleisthenes make to the development of Athenian democracy? These people belonging to upper class formed the government that was also considered the best and the most able government. When we look at both monarchy and aristocracy, we can see similarities as well as differences. Therefore, they were considered to be fit to rule. Oligarchy should not be confused with monarchy as privileged people in oligarchy need not have the blue blood as is necessary in monarchies. is in the hands of a few people, specifically rich people. Aristocrats are connected to royal families through blood, whereas an Oligarchy is not. Aristocracy is derived from the Latin terms aristokratía meaning the rule of the best. • Aristocrats are not connected to royal families through blood, but … Aristocracy comes from Aristokratia, a Greek word meaning rule of the best. On the index card in front of you write: Your Name. They might be distinguished by royalty, wealth, education, corporate, religious, or military control. How does the aristocracy differ from an oligarchy? Although these two systems share some similarities, there is a difference based on the ruling party. Oligarchy: Oligarchy is associated with tyranny and oppression. On the other hand, an aristocracy is a the highest class in certain societies, … But this particular aristocracy was also ruled by a few. • In some places, one can find both oligarchy and aristocracy being practiced. Greek cities of Sparta and Athens used the system of aristocracy and members of the royal lineage, who were called ‘Eupatridae‘ held the ruling power. All rights reserved. During the French Revolution (1789 to 1799), aristocrats were dragged onto the streets and beheaded. Home » Public » Politics » Difference Between Aristocracy and Oligarchy. An oligarchy strives to keep the status quo, which breeds conservatism instead of taking on risky ventures. And while a plutocracy is rule by the wealthy, aristocracy is rule by the elite. In order of importance (from good to worst), these government types are aristocracy, timocracy, oligarchy, democracy, and tyranny. Aristocracy: Aristocracy has been contrasted favorably with monarchy. It is a type of government where power is held by a small number of people. The ruling class controls policies and legislation, and ends up with much more wealth than the rest of society. • Some experts consider oligarchy to be a degenerated form of aristocracy. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Copyright © 2010-2018 Difference Between. Ans. Your favorite kind of food. This is the main difference between aristocracy and oligarchy. An oligarchy is a government run by a smaller group of powerful people. An aristocracy and an oligarchy have very similar features, yet their origins are different. Difference Between Populism and Pluralism, What is the Difference Between Face Wash and Cleanser, What is the Difference Between Cetaphil Daily Cleanser and Gentle Cleanser, What is the Difference Between Symbolic Interactionism and Social Constructionism, What is the Difference Between Lepidolite and Amethyst, What is the Difference Between Anointed and Appointed, What is the Difference Between Lemon Grass and Citronella. This is why both Aristotle and Plato considered aristocracy to be the best type of governance. Plato also describes how the best government regime deteriorates sequentially from an aristocracy (best) towards tyranny (worst). Analysing the difference between Elite rule, Oligarchy and Aristocracy, Doughlas V. Verney observes, “An elite appears to combine some of the characteristics of both an Oligarchy and an Aristocracy but it is not to be confused with either. He also believed that oligarchy resulted with degeneration of aristocracy. Your favorite thing to do . Aristocracy is derived from the Latin terms aristokratía meaning the rule of the best. Difference Between Aristocracy and Oligarchy. At the top of his list, Plato identifies aristocracy as the best form of government. This would make Sparta an oligarchy. An oligarchyis a form of government in which power is vested in the hands of a small group, because of factors which favor them, like wealth, race, political connections, military capability, education, etc. Oligarchy is the rule of the few in a generic way where on the other hand aristocracy is a form of governing where administration or power is in the hands of a special class of people. What is the difference between Aristocracy and Oligarchy? Aristocracy, on the other hand, confers benefits on the basis of merit, with the result that those who most deserve to govern do in fact govern. Related Questions in History. Whether or not aristocracy is superior to other forms of governance may be debatable but the fact that aristocrats belonged to upper class of the society is confirmed. Aristocracy: Aristocracy refers to a power structure where the power is held by the nobility. 1) How does an aristocracy differ from an oligarchy? The rule of an individual interested solely in his own benefit. 3 How does an aristocracy differ from an oligarchy? The word “aristocracy” is derived from the Greek term “aristokratía”, which means “the rule of the best.” In fact, in aristocratic states, the power is held by the “best-qualified” citizens, the nobles and the best educated individuals. This is why the power was vested in one class of people; the leadership qualities and other morals were supposed to be inherited by those in the noble families. Oligarchy: Oligarchy refers to a power structure where the power is held by a small group of people. They often gained power after they served in the kings cavalry. Coming from Engineering cum Human Resource Development background, has over 10 years experience in content developmet and management. Keep flat surfaces clear c. Organize the stacks of papers d. Reduce your use of hanging files . Depending upon circumstances, there can be both oligarchy and aristocracy in place in a country. Both terms are usually used to refer to forms of government, though both … LOGIN TO VIEW ANSWER. These people are usually more powerful and wealthy than the rest of the population. In order to eliminate piles, you must _____. Oligarchy: Inheritance is not a necessary condition. In Aristocracy merit is consider very important in comparison to in Oligarchy that wealth is the most important factor (sparknotes). Oligarchy and Aristocracy may differ drastically in their principles or they could be such government forms, which are derived from one another. In an aristocracy, the nobles are born into their position by royalty. Aristotle said that “oligarchy is when men of property have the government in their hands… wherever men rule by reason of their wealth, whether they be few or many, that is an oligarchy” Oligarchy has always been associated with tyranny and oppression. Oligarchy literally means rule of a few. Difference Between Aristocracy vs Oligarchy Etymology gives details about how Aristocracy and Oligarchy as phrases or words originated and from which languages. She is currently reading for a Masters degree in English. Both are related to the ruling power and they had the sole authority of decision making of a nation. 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