oligarch
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oligarch
An extremely rich and influential person who also exercises great political power through their wealth. The term is often used in the context of post-Soviet states such as Russia.
Der Oligarch kaufte den englischen Fußballverein für eine Rekordsumme.
The oligarch bought the English football club for a record sum.
The word comes from Greek and is made up of 'oligoi' (few) and 'archein' (to rule). So an oligarch is literally one of the 'few who rule.'
Die Macht im Staat konzentrierte sich in den Händen weniger Oligarchen.
Power in the state was concentrated in the hands of a few oligarchs.
'Der Oligarch' (the oligarch) is a weak noun of the N-declension. This means it takes the ending '-en' in all cases except the nominative singular.
Das Vermögen des Oligarchen wird auf mehrere Milliarden geschätzt.
The oligarch's fortune is estimated at several billion.
Today, the term is almost always used in connection with very rich and politically influential businesspeople from Russia or other post-Soviet states.
Die Sanktionen richten sich gezielt gegen mehrere russische Oligarchen.
The sanctions are specifically targeted at several Russian oligarchs.
The political-science meaning is often recognizable from context. When ancient states such as Greece or Rome are being discussed, this general meaning is intended.
In der Vorlesung ging es um die Rolle der Oligarchen in der athenischen Politik.
The lecture was about the role of oligarchs in Athenian politics.
ruler
'der Machthaber' and 'der Oligarch' both have to do with power, often in a critical sense. 'Machthaber' means a person or group that directly exercises political power, for example in a state. 'Oligarch' especially means a very rich and influential person who also has political power through money. The word is often used for certain rich businesspeople in post-Soviet countries. The words can be confused because both describe powerful people. The simple difference is: a Machthaber rules or governs directly; an Oligarch has great influence mainly through wealth.
Der Oligarch besitzt mehrere Firmen und hat großen Einfluss auf die Politik.
The oligarch owns several companies and has great influence on politics.
Im Bericht geht es um einen Machthaber, der die Opposition unterdrückt.
The report is about a ruler who suppresses the opposition.