Plural of aristarchy; multiple instances or systems of rule by the best or most qualified people; government by aristocrats or an elite.
From Greek aristoi (the best) combined with archia (rule), related to aristocracy. The term refers to a philosophical or political ideal of rule by the most virtuous or capable.
Aristarchy is the aristocracy's idealistic cousin—while aristocracy just means 'rule by the upper class,' aristarchy specifically claims those rulers are the BEST people, which is exactly what aristocrats always wanted to believe about themselves!
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