Question

Out of four alternatives, choose the one which can be substituted for the given word/sentence. State in which the few govern the many

• A. Monarchy
• B. Oligarchy
• C. Plutocracy
• D. Autocracy

Hint:

Oligarchy differs from democracy as power is concentrated in the hands of a few individuals or families, not the larger population.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is B

Step 1: Understanding the term.
Oligarchy is a form of government in which power resides with a small group of people who rule over the larger population.

Step 2: Analyzing the options.
(A) Monarchy: A monarchy is a form of government where one person (a monarch) rules, not a small group.
(B) Oligarchy: Correct — Oligarchy refers to a state where a small group governs the many.
(C) Plutocracy: Plutocracy refers to a government ruled by the wealthy, which is a form of oligarchy but with a focus on wealth.
(D) Autocracy: An autocracy is a system where one individual holds absolute power, not a small group.

Step 3: Conclusion.
The correct answer is (B) Oligarchy, as it describes a form of government where the few govern the many.

Answer 2

The phrase "state in which the few govern the many" describes a system of government run by a small group rather than one person or the people as a whole. Let's examine each form of government named in the options:

1. Monarchy: Rule by a single hereditary ruler, a king or queen, this is government by one person, not by a small group, so it does not fit.
2. Oligarchy: Rule by a small group of people, who may be chosen by wealth, family, military power, or other means, this matches "the few govern the many" exactly.
3. Plutocracy: Rule specifically by the wealthy class, this is actually a particular kind of oligarchy, but the general "few govern many" definition asked for in the sentence is the broader oligarchy, not this narrower wealth-based version.
4. Autocracy: Rule by one person holding unlimited power, similar to monarchy in that it is a single ruler, not a group, so it does not fit either.

Monarchy and autocracy both describe rule by one person, and plutocracy narrows the "few" down to specifically the rich, leaving oligarchy as the general term for rule by a small group.

Therefore, the correct answer is Oligarchy.