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polyarchy

polyarchy

9.9
A government where many people or groups share power
  • noun
  • /ˈpɒliˌɑrki/
  • Specialized
translation icon : poliarquía
  • Robert Dahl utilized the concept of polyarchy rather than democracy, recognizing that no government ever becomes fully democratic.
  • promotion of polyarchy
  • transition to polyarchy
  • polyarchy and democracy

Examples

  • Thus, polyarchies are those governments that approach democratic norms and practices.

    Academic text (1997)
  • Guatemala has not yet really achieved polyarchy, let alone real democracy.

    Academic text (2000)
  • In the Mexican case, it would be a mistake to assume a straightforward transmission of polyarchy.

    Academic text (2012)
  • William Robinson links the rise of neoliberalism to the emergence of Guatemala's new "polyarchy" (minimal formal democracy).

    Academic text (2000)
  • The political component of the project is the promotion of "democracy," or what is more accurately called polyarchy, a system in which a small group actually rules and the majority's participation in decision-making is confined to choosing among competing elites in tightly controlled electoral processes.

    Academic text (2000)
  • The old authoritarian regimes have crumbled through transitions to polyarchy, and leftist movements that in the 1980s posed an antisystemic alternative to global integration have been defeated or transformed.

    Academic text (2000)
  • In a polyarchy, citizens can vote for multiple parties, ensuring that power is shared among various groups.

  • The transition from dictatorship to polyarchy allowed for greater political freedom and citizen involvement.

  • In a true polyarchy, diverse voices can influence government decisions, rather than just a single ruling party.

Synonyms

polycentrism
vspolyarchy
  • Specialized
8.2

A system where power comes from several different centers

is about power held broadly by many people or groups rather than one ruler
multipolarity
vspolyarchy
  • Specialized
8.8

A world situation where several countries share power rather than one country

focuses on internal government where many people or groups hold power rather than a single ruler

Antonyms

66 3.9

A country ruled by a king or queen who usually inherits the position

5 8.2

A government in which one person has all power

How Polyarchic

polyarchy
  • Specialized
9.9
democracy
782 1.6
oligarchy
17 8.9
autocracy
5 8.2

Surface Forms

polyarchy singular
polyarchies plural

Morphology

polyarchy = poly + archy

The word is a learned classical formation built from poly- and archy, but these elements are not likely to be familiar enough for an average B1 learner to infer the meaning confidently.

Etymology

Polyarchy comes from Greek parts poly- ('many') and -archy ('rule'), like monarchy ('one ruler') and anarchy ('no rule'). So, polyarchy means 'rule by many', which explains a government where power is held by many people or groups.