The characteristics listed best describe which of the following types of political systems?

An oligarchy is characterized by a small group of individuals or families holding significant power and authority, often based on wealth, social status, or familial ties. This concentration of power can lead to governance where decisions are made for the benefit of that elite group rather than the broader population.

In an oligarchy, the political system typically lacks the more participatory elements found in democracies, where the general populace has a direct role in governance through voting or other means. The key feature of an oligarchy is that it restricts political power to a few, which distinguishes it from systems like representative democracies, where elected representatives are accountable to a wider electorate.

Understanding the context of this system reveals its dynamics—oligarchies can often maintain control through manipulation of political processes or through societal structures that entrench their power, which offers insight into how governance might function in such environments.