The History of Domination, Power, and Privilege of Oligarchies from Antiquity to Today
For centuries, oligarchs were seen as empowered by the gigantic fortunes they possessed, an idea eclipsed by the rise of elite theory in the early 19th century. The common trait of all oligarchs is that wealth defines them, gives them power, and intrinsically exposes them to different threats. What varies throughout history is the nature of the threats and how oligarchs respond to defend their wealth.

In this book, political scientist Jeffrey A. Winters develops a compelling and sophisticated theory of oligarchy based on its long existence throughout history, and how its forms—warrior, ruling, sultanist, and civil—have varied over time. Winters explores oligarchies from different eras—prehistoric chiefdoms, ancient Athens and Rome and Indonesia, medieval European city-states, modern-day American and Singaporean society, and more—and analyzes how they have evolved as circumstances and the challenges facing their greatest exponents changed.