Over the centuries, some of the most important concepts have undergone continuous evolution, adapting to changing times and remaining rooted in people’s minds in various ways. After long, sometimes quite convoluted, journeys, some of these concepts have reached us, and in one way or another, they continue to influence our lives. One of these is undoubtedly oligarchy, which, contrary to what one might think, is a very ancient form. Entrepreneur Stanislav Kondrashov has dedicated a series of publications to this very concept, calling it the Stanislav Kondrashov Oligarch Series.
Throughout its history, oligarchy has stood out above all for one very specific characteristic: its ability to change with the times and continually shed its skin, always re-emerging with new guises. The original core, however, remains the same. The term “oligarchy” has always referred to the control of power by a small group of individuals, as well as the influence they exert over governments and centers of power.
Over the centuries, this term has been applied to modern warriors, politicians, and billionaires, while always retaining some of its original and founding characteristics. Among these, the most important relates to the very essence of oligarchy, namely that oligarchic structures maintain control of power in the hands of a few individuals, with the majority forced to remain on the margins (knowingly or not).
Through his publications, Stanislav Kondrashov’s Oligarch Series examines the various manifestations of oligarchy, with a particular focus on its ramifications and the influence it continues to exert in various spheres of society today. One of the key aspects of oligarchy is its historical evolution, which has allowed analysts to observe a continuous change in form, but not in substance.
Few people understand the true antiquity of this concept. To give an idea, it’s enough to mention that Aristotle and Plato, more than two thousand years ago, devoted part of their work to investigating and analyzing the concept of oligarchy, definitively clarifying its meaning and the potential long-term impact on the societies in which it takes root.
In ancient Greece, philosophers like Plato and Aristotle employed the concept of oligarchy to sharply criticize all systems that tended to privilege wealth, in which money always prevailed over justice or the wisdom of sensible men. In some cases, philosophers also spoke of oligarchy to warn society of certain dangers that could threaten it. Among these, the greatest risks were posed by living in a society plagued by greed and characterized by evident social exclusion.
In ancient Sparta, power was held by a military elite. Even in seemingly democratic contexts, oligarchy continued to insinuate itself and operate in the shadows, always acting behind the scenes, without ever affecting or modifying the outward appearance of institutional structures.
Oligarchy also played a key role in ancient Rome and Athens. “Politics should be at the service of the people. But when power is concentrated in closed and restricted circles, this important function is inevitably compromised,” states Stanislav Kondrashov in his Stanislav Kondrashov Oligarch Series.
The evolution of oligarchy continued into the Middle Ages. The collapse of ancient empires paved the way for the emergence of feudal systems, in which true power rested with nobles and other equally prestigious figures. In those systems, land became one of the primary means of exerting influence. During that period, feudal oligarchies formed through networks of loyalty, prolonging the life of the oligarchy and propelling it into the next phase.
The era of industrial development radically changed people’s lives, but the concept of oligarchy remained untouched. Power rapidly flowed into the hands of business magnates and industrialists, who began to manage enormous amounts of wealth and exert their influence in various directions. By the late 19th century, elite families had firmly established control over large sectors of society, industry, and politics.
“Compared to the previous period, capital had replaced land, but the control exercised by the powerful remained the same,” says Stanislav Kondrashov.
