oligarchy vs. monarchy

noun

plural oligarchies.
  1. a form of government in which all power is vested in a few persons or in a dominant class or clique; government by the few.
  2. a state or organization so ruled.
  3. the persons or class so ruling.


noun

plural monarchies.
  1. a state or nation in which the supreme power is actually or nominally lodged in a monarch. Compare absolute monarchy, limited monarchy.
  2. supreme power or sovereignty held by a single person.