In political science, an oligarchy is best defined as which type of rule?

Introduction / Context:
Political science uses specific terms to describe different forms of government and power distribution. Understanding these terms helps you analyse how various political systems work. Oligarchy is one such term that often appears in civics and general knowledge exams. This question asks you to select the correct definition for oligarchy by choosing the type of rule it represents. Knowing the exact meaning also helps distinguish oligarchy from other forms such as monarchy and democracy.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• The term in focus is oligarchy.
• The question asks what kind of rule oligarchy refers to.
• Options offer rule by one, rule by many, rule by few, and all of the above.
• We assume standard textbook definitions of political systems.

Concept / Approach:
The word oligarchy comes from Greek roots meaning rule of the few. In an oligarchic system, power is concentrated in the hands of a small group of people, often from the same social, economic, or military elite. This differs from monarchy, which is rule by one individual, and democracy, where power broadly rests with many people or the electorate. The approach is to match the root meaning and standard definition with the option that says rule by few and eliminate the others.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Break down the term oligarchy into its Greek components, where “oligos” means few and “arkhein” means to rule. Step 2: Understand that this implies a system where a small group holds political power. Step 3: Compare this concept with the given options: rule by one, rule by many, and rule by few. Step 4: Recognise that rule by one more accurately describes monarchy or autocracy, not oligarchy. Step 5: Recognise that rule by many describes democracy, where a broad portion of the population has a role in decision making. Step 6: Identify rule by few as precisely matching the definition and etymology of oligarchy. Step 7: Since only one option correctly describes oligarchy, all of the above cannot be correct.

Verification / Alternative check:
Verification can be done by recalling political science chapters where different forms of government are compared. These chapters usually provide a simple table: monarchy equals rule by one, oligarchy equals rule by few, and democracy equals rule by many. Some examples given include ancient city states or modern systems where a small elite controls economic and political power. These consistent definitions across multiple sources confirm that oligarchy is rule by a small group rather than by one person or the entire population.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Rule by one: This refers to monarchy or autocracy, where a single individual, such as a king or dictator, holds central power. It does not describe an oligarchy.
Rule by many: This corresponds to democracy or popular rule, where many citizens participate in governance, which is the opposite of oligarchy limited elite control.
All of the above: Since oligarchy has a specific meaning, and only rule by few fits that meaning, it is incorrect to say that all types of rule listed describe oligarchy.

Common Pitfalls:
Some learners may confuse oligarchy with other complex terms such as aristocracy or plutocracy, or may feel uncertain when similar words appear together. Another pitfall is not paying attention to the root word and instead guessing based on a vague memory. To avoid such mistakes, it is helpful to remember simple associations: monarchy equals one, oligarchy equals few, democracy equals many. This three part pattern makes it easy to quickly select the correct definition in multiple choice questions.

Final Answer:
In political science, an oligarchy is best defined as rule by few.