Word: plutocracy (noun)

Associations

"Plutocracy" means a government or society ruled by the richest people. It comes from "pluto-" meaning wealth, and "-cracy" meaning rule or power. It is often used when talking about political systems where money controls decisions.

• Example 1: "Some people say the country is a plutocracy because only the rich have real influence." This means rich people control the government.
• Example 2: "In a plutocracy, laws may favor the wealthy over the poor." This shows how money affects fairness.
• Example 3: "Critics argue that plutocracy leads to inequality and unfair advantages." This means rich people get more benefits.

A similar word is "oligarchy," which means rule by a few people, but not necessarily rich ones. Plutocracy specifically means rule by the wealthy.

Substitution

You can use "rule by the wealthy," "government by the rich," or "wealth-based rule" instead of plutocracy. Using "oligarchy" changes the meaning slightly because it focuses on few rulers, not their wealth.

Deconstruction

• "Pluto-" comes from Greek "ploutos," meaning wealth or riches.
• "-cracy" comes from Greek "kratos," meaning power or rule. So, "plutocracy" literally means "rule by wealth."

Inquiry

• Can you think of any countries or societies that might be called a plutocracy? Why?
• How does plutocracy affect people who are not rich?
• Have you seen examples in movies or books where money controls the government? How is that shown?