What term describes a government ruled by a small group of people with authoritarian control?

An oligarchy is defined as a form of government where power resides in the hands of a small group of individuals. This small group often exercises authoritarian control, meaning they impose strict obedience to their authority and often limit political freedoms and rights for the larger population. Oligarchies can manifest in various forms, including control based on wealth, family ties, corporate interests, or military power.

In contrast, other terms such as monarchy refer to a government led by one person (often a king or queen) who may have varying degrees of power, while anarchy describes a society without a governing body or structured authority. Plutocracy specifically refers to a system where the wealthy hold power but doesn’t necessarily encapsulate the authoritarian aspect tied to oligarchy. This distinction helps clarify why oligarchy is the most accurate term for a government characterized by a small group exerting strict control.