Plutocracy

Plu‐toc″ra‐cy (plū̍‐tŏk″rȧ‐sy̆), n. [Gr. πλοuτοκρατία; πλοȗτοσ wealth + κρατει̑ν to be strong, to rule, fr. κρατόσ strength: cf. F. plutocratie.] A form of government in which the supreme power is lodged in the hands of the wealthy classes; government by the rich; also, a controlling or influential class of rich men.