Plutocracy
http://www.wikipedia.com/wiki/Plutocracy
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.
A Plutocracy is a government system where wealth is the principal basis of
power (from the Greek ploutos meaning wealth).
The influence of wealth on governance can be expressed either via the
wealthy classes directly governing, or (more typically) by the wealthy
classes using money to control the government. This control can be exerted
positively (by financial "contributions" or in some cases, bribes) or
negatively by refusing to financially support the government (refusing to
pay taxes, threatening to move profitable industries elsewhere, etc).
There have not been many examples of a "true" plutocracy in history as
such, although they typically emerge as one of the first governing systems
within a territory after a period of anarchy. Plutocracy is closely related
to Aristocracy http://www.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aristocracy as a form of
government, as generally wealth and nobility have been closely associated
throughout history.
In the present era, there are numerous cases of wealthy individuals
exerting financial pressure on governments to pass favourable legislation.
Most western partisan democracies permit the raising of funds by the
partisan organisations, and it is well-known that political parties
frequently accept significant donations from various individuals (either
directly or through corporate institutions). Ostensibly this should have no
effect on the legislative decisions of elected representatives, however it
would be a bit idealistic to believe that no politicians are influenced by
these "contributions". The more cynical might describe these donations as
"bribes", although legally they are not.
See also:
Pareto principle (on unequal distribution of wealth)
http://www.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pareto_principle
corporatocracy
http://www.wikipedia.org/wiki/Corporatocracy
corporate police state
http://www.wikipedia.org/wiki/Corporate_police_state
http://www.indymedia.org/front.php3?article_id=237001
