Which term describes a form of government in which a small group or a few people govern the many?

Introduction / Context:
Political science and general knowledge exams often test your familiarity with one word terms for different forms of government. Each term is based on Greek or Latin roots and describes who holds power in a state. This question focuses on a system in which a small group rules over a larger population. Recognising the correct term helps you read current affairs and historical texts with more precision.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• We are looking for a system where “the few govern the many.”
• The options include autocracy, monarchy, plutocracy, oligarchy and democracy.
• Each term refers to a different arrangement of power.
• We assume standard textbook definitions of these systems.
• We need to select exactly one term that best matches the description.

Concept / Approach:
The key phrase is “the few govern the many,” indicating that power is concentrated in the hands of a small group rather than one person or the whole populace. The Greek root oligos means few, and arche means rule. Therefore, oligarchy literally means “rule by the few.” Autocracy refers to rule by a single person with absolute power. Monarchy is government by a king or queen, usually with hereditary succession. Plutocracy is rule by the wealthy class. Democracy is rule by the people, typically through elected representatives. The only term that directly expresses rule by a small group, without specifying wealth or heredity, is oligarchy.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Focus on the phrase “the few govern the many,” which signals control by a small, elite group.Step 2: Examine the root of the word oligarchy: oligos (few) + arche (rule), giving the literal meaning rule of the few.Step 3: Compare this with autocracy, which means rule by one person holding absolute power.Step 4: Note that monarchy involves rule by a single monarch, such as a king or queen, not necessarily a group.Step 5: Recognise that plutocracy refers specifically to rule by the wealthy, which is a special case and does not always match the idea of “the few” in general.Step 6: Democracy is the rule of the many, where power is vested in the people, making it the opposite of what the question describes.

Verification / Alternative check:
Textbooks on political science and civics define oligarchy as a form of government in which power rests with a small number of people, such as a few powerful families or a small elite. Historical examples can include aristocratic councils or military juntas where a small group makes decisions for the entire country. While some oligarchies may also be plutocracies if the ruling few are wealthy, the broader term that fits any small ruling group is oligarchy. This confirms that oligarchy is the best match for the phrase “state in which the few govern the many.”

Why Other Options Are Wrong:

• Autocracy describes rule by a single individual, not by a small group.
• Monarchy refers to rule by a monarch, typically a king or queen, which usually involves one central ruler rather than a few.
• Plutocracy focuses on the wealthy as rulers; it is more specific and does not necessarily apply to every small ruling group.
• Democracy is government by the people, often through elected representatives, and is the opposite of rule by a small elite.

Common Pitfalls:
Students sometimes confuse oligarchy with plutocracy because both involve small groups. The key difference is that plutocracy emphasises wealth as the main qualification for power, whereas oligarchy simply indicates a small ruling group, regardless of their exact basis of authority. Another pitfall is forgetting the Greek roots and mixing up autocracy and oligarchy. Remembering that auto means self and oligo means few can help you keep the terms clear in your mind and answer similar questions accurately.

Final Answer:
The correct answer is Oligarchy, which is the form of government in which a small group of people govern the many.