Ruling clique
Encyclopedia
A ruling clique is a group of people who jointly rule an oligarchic
form of government
.
Ruling cliques generally differ from another type of oligarchy: a military junta
. Military juntas are always ruled by military personnel (often high-ranking like general
). A ruling clique can include people from various professions. The ruling elite
s who comprise the leadership tend to form a council, political party
, or another form of an organized group. The high ranking members share a rough balance of power although sometimes one or more members seek to increase their power at the expense of others or some of them may attempt to transform the system into an autocracy
or make it more democratic.
Some ruling cliques could be considered a form of aristocracy
while others are based on a very small circle of rulers rather than a broader based organization such as a political party. In some cases, the entire ruling clique is composed of a council of leaders who are the only members of the clique.
Oligarchy
Oligarchy is a form of power structure in which power effectively rests with an elite class distinguished by royalty, wealth, family ties, commercial, and/or military legitimacy...
form of government
Form of government
A form of government, or form of state governance, refers to the set of political institutions by which a government of a state is organized. Synonyms include "regime type" and "system of government".-Empirical and conceptual problems:...
.
Ruling cliques generally differ from another type of oligarchy: a military junta
Military junta
A junta or military junta is a government led by a committee of military leaders. The term derives from the Spanish language junta meaning committee, specifically a board of directors...
. Military juntas are always ruled by military personnel (often high-ranking like general
General
A general officer is an officer of high military rank, usually in the army, and in some nations, the air force. The term is widely used by many nations of the world, and when a country uses a different term, there is an equivalent title given....
). A ruling clique can include people from various professions. The ruling elite
Elite
Elite refers to an exceptional or privileged group that wields considerable power within its sphere of influence...
s who comprise the leadership tend to form a council, political party
Political party
A political party is a political organization that typically seeks to influence government policy, usually by nominating their own candidates and trying to seat them in political office. Parties participate in electoral campaigns, educational outreach or protest actions...
, or another form of an organized group. The high ranking members share a rough balance of power although sometimes one or more members seek to increase their power at the expense of others or some of them may attempt to transform the system into an autocracy
Autocracy
An autocracy is a form of government in which one person is the supreme power within the state. It is derived from the Greek : and , and may be translated as "one who rules by himself". It is distinct from oligarchy and democracy...
or make it more democratic.
Some ruling cliques could be considered a form of aristocracy
Aristocracy
Aristocracy , is a form of government in which a few elite citizens rule. The term derives from the Greek aristokratia, meaning "rule of the best". In origin in Ancient Greece, it was conceived of as rule by the best qualified citizens, and contrasted with monarchy...
while others are based on a very small circle of rulers rather than a broader based organization such as a political party. In some cases, the entire ruling clique is composed of a council of leaders who are the only members of the clique.