A form of government in which the power to make decisions and allocate resources is given to a small number of persons is called:

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BlackTom AI · Accepted Answer

The question asks about a form of government where a small number of persons hold the power to make decisions and allocate resources.
Option 1: elitism. This term refers to rule by an elite group, often implying that a select group with perceived superior status or abilities governs, but it is not a formalized system name for a government where a small number actually exercises power. The concept overlaps with oligarchy in its effect, yet it does not precisely designate the structural form described in the prompt.
Option 2: autocracy. This describes a system in which supreme authority rests in the hands of a single individual, not a small group. Autocracy concentrates power in one ruler, so it does not match the idea of governance by a few.
Option 3: oligarchy. This is the term for a government in which a small group holds the power to make decisions and control resources. The key feature is the concentration of authority among a limited number of people, aligning directly with the description in the question.
Option 4: democracy. Democracy is characterized by rule by the people, typically through elected representatives or collective decision-making. It emphasizes broad participation, which is the opposite of power being restricted to a small number of individuals.
In summary, among the given options, the description most closely matches the concept where a small group wields decisive authority and resource control, distinguishing it from broader or single-person rule and from systems emphasizing equal or popular participation.

POLS-206:502,508 Exam 1 Fall 2025

A form of government in which the power to make decisions and allocate resources is given to a small number of persons is called:

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