That’s not the full answer though, since a similar phenomenon appears in much less oligarchic systems.
While the rich also have a disproportionate influence in those systems, it wouldn’t be enough without the assistance of the racism and spite of the average voter.
An oligarchic system is one where political power lies predominantly in the hands of a small privileged elite. But it’s not a binary concept, the current US system is less oligarchic than it was in the 19th Century, or the Venetian Republic for example. What did you mean?
That’s not the full answer though, since a similar phenomenon appears in much less oligarchic systems.
While the rich also have a disproportionate influence in those systems, it wouldn’t be enough without the assistance of the racism and spite of the average voter.
Why do we think they’re less oligarchic? It’s a classic principal-agent problem. Representatives are generally for sale.
Less corrupt systems than the one in the US can and do exist.
I might be assuming too much of what you meant by oligarchic.
An oligarchic system is one where political power lies predominantly in the hands of a small privileged elite. But it’s not a binary concept, the current US system is less oligarchic than it was in the 19th Century, or the Venetian Republic for example. What did you mean?