What's the difference between
and
Enter two words to compare and contrast their definitions, origins, and synonyms to better understand how those words are related.

Oligarchy vs Meritocracy - What's the difference?

oligarchy | meritocracy |

As nouns the difference between oligarchy and meritocracy

is that oligarchy is a government run by only a few, often the wealthy while meritocracy is rule by merit, and talent by extension, now often used to describe a type of society where wealth, income, and social status are assigned through competition.

oligarchy

English

Noun

(wikipedia oligarchy) (oligarchies)
  • A government run by only a few, often the wealthy.
  • Those who make up an oligarchic government.
  • A state ruled by such a government.

    • Related terms

    * oligarch * oligarchic * oligarchical

    meritocracy

    English

    (wikipedia meritocracy)

    Noun

    (meritocracies)
  • Rule by merit, and talent. By extension, now often used to describe a type of society where wealth, income, and social status are assigned through competition.

    • Usage notes

    Though widely used as a term of praise, Meritocracy's Lab Rat, by Timothy Noah the term was original coined as a satire, and a critique of awarding educational achievement.

    Derived terms

    * meritocrat * meritocratic

    References

    English words suffixed with -cracy