Question

When a country is ruled by a small group of people at the top who exercise a great deal of power, often obtained through illegitimate means, this is referred to as a(n)?

1) capitalist dictatorship
2) informal bureaucracy
3) oligarchy
4) democracy

Answer 1

The governing system where power is in the hands of a small, elite group of people is known as an oligarchy. This differs from a dictatorship which is typically controlled by a single person or very small group with absolute power.

Step-by-step explanation:

When a country is ruled by a small group of people who wield a great deal of power, and who often obtain this power through illegitimate means, this form of governance is referred to as an oligarchy. Unlike a dictatorship, where power is consolidated in the hands of a single person or a very small group that wields complete authority, an oligarchy is a form of government where the power is held by a small, elite subset of society. These individuals may come to power through economic means, military might, or other non-democratic methods. This group makes decisions that benefit themselves, often at the expense of the broader population.