A government controlled by a small elite group is known as what?

A government controlled by a small elite group is referred to as an oligarchy. In this system, power resides in the hands of a few individuals or a specific class, often distinguished by wealth, education, or social status. Oligarchies can take many forms, including political, economic, or social dominance, and tend to concentrate decision-making power among the elite, limiting broader participation from the general populace.

In contrast, an autocracy signifies a system where a single individual holds supreme authority, often independent of any checks or balances. Plutocracy specifically denotes a government where power is given to the wealthy, but it is a subset of an oligarchy focused primarily on economic status. Democracy, on the other hand, strives for participation from the broader population in governance, emphasizing equality in political rights and representation. Thus, the uniqueness of oligarchy lies in the concentration of power within a small group, which aligns perfectly with the question’s definition.