SS1 First Term Government Lesson Note – Basic Concepts: Oligarchy and Communism

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WEEK 9

TOPIC: BASIC CONCEPTS

CONTENT:

1. Oligarchy: meaning, features, types
2. Communism: Definition origin and development, principles of communism, relationship between communism and socialism

Sub-Topic 1: OLIGARCHY – Definition

Oligarchy can be defined as government by few privilege and powerful people. It is a very selfish type of government because the government is ruling for the interest of the few people in government. Also, oligarchy can be defined as a form of government in which the power to rule and direct the affairs of a society or country is vested in the hands of few people.

FEATURES OF OLIGARCHY

1. Power is concentrated in the hands of a few rich or influential people.
2. It is a government steered by the minority over the majority.
3. Oligarchy may take various forms such as gerontocracy, autocracy etc.
4. The system favours the rich at the expense of the poor.
5. There is no rule of law.
6. Wealth and nobleness become the main criteria for attaining to political offices

TYPES OF OLIGARCHY

1. Aristocracy: It is a government ruled by persons of the highest social rank called nobles. It is the rule by the group considered to be the best in terms of intellectual capability. It is often referred to as a rule by the elites in the society.
2. Plutocracy: It is a government ruled or controlled by a few rich and powerful people in the society. The wealthiest class control political power. They include the industrialist, landlords as well as financiers of great business concerns.
3. Military government: This is a form of government under the control of soldiers- Army, Navy and Air force- who seize power from the civilians through force. The military rule by decrees which demand strict obedience.

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