polygarchy

/pɒlɪˈɡɑːrki/ or /pɔːlɪˈɡɑːrki/

Definitions

1. noun

A form of government in which a single person holds power, but there is no centralized authority other than the ruler, with local autonomy and often polygamy.

“The ancient Sumerian city-states formed a loose polygarchy, with each city ruled by a king but with a great deal of local autonomy.”

Synonyms

  • autocracy
  • theocracy

Antonyms

  • democracy
  • monarchy