“Given the massive amount of wealth and power that the ultra-rich have amassed, coupled with their influence over political decision-making in the U.S., it’s only fitting to use the term for the direction that America is headed.”

Is the U.S. witnessing the rise of oligarchy?

“One quick note: During this conversation, my guests and I will use both the terms “oligarchy” and “plutocracy.” Oligarchy is defined as a government where authority is concentrated in the hands of a small group of powerful, usually wealthy, individuals. Plutocracy is a form of government where power is held by the wealthy. We will use these terms more or less interchangeably.”

Oligarchy in the open: What happens now as the U.S. is forced to confront its plutocracy problem?

“Political rhetoric scholar Luke Winslow, Ph.D., associate professor of communication at Baylor University and author of “Oligarchy in America: Power, Justice, and the Rule of the Few,” has traced the evolution of oligarchy in the United States to shed light on how modern oligarchy is reshaping America through the increasing fusion of economic power and political influence. ... While wealth and politics have always coexisted, oligarchy is about how these forces merge to create a system where the ultra-rich exert undue influence over democratic institutions, Winslow said. “This convergence has long existed in history but is now unfolding in the U.S. more visibly – and perhaps more accepted – than ever before,” he said.”

Defining Oligarchy: The Fusion of Wealth and Power in American Democracy

“Is there an American oligarchy? ... Oligarchy – A word that once more commonly referred to the super wealthy of Eastern Europe has reached the shores of the U.S. ... An American government closely aligned with money and power is something outgoing President Joe Biden warned about in his farewell address.”

Is there an American oligarchy?