What does polyarchy mean?
Definitions for polyarchy
po·lyarchy
This dictionary definitions page includes all the possible meanings, example usage and translations of the word polyarchy.
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Wiktionary
polyarchynoun
A government by many persons, of whatever order or class.
Wikipedia
Polyarchy
In political science, the term polyarchy (poly "many", arkhe "rule") was used by Robert A. Dahl to describe a form of government in which power is invested in multiple people. It takes the form of neither a dictatorship nor a democracy. This form of government was first implemented in the United States and France and gradually adopted by other countries. Polyarchy is different from democracy, according to Dahl, because the fundamental democratic principle is "the continuing responsiveness of the government to the preferences of its citizens, considered as political equals" with unimpaired opportunities. A polyarchy is a state that has certain procedures that are necessary conditions for following the democratic principle.In semblance, the word "polycracy" describes the same form of government, although from a slightly different premise: a polycracy is a state ruled by more than one person, as opposed to a monocracy. The word derives from Greek poly ("many") and kratos ("rule" or "strength").
Webster Dictionary
Polyarchynoun
a government by many persons, of whatever order or class
Etymology: [Poly- + -archy: cf. F. polyarchie. Cf. Polarchy.]
Wikidata
Polyarchy
In modern political science, the term polyarchy was introduced by Robert A. Dahl, now emeritus professor at Yale University, to describe a form of government in which power is vested in three or more persons. This form of government was first implemented in the United States and was gradually adopted by many other countries. According to Dahl, the fundamental democratic principle is that when it comes to binding collective decisions, each person in a political community is entitled to be given equal consideration to their interests. A polyarchy is a nation-state that has certain procedures that are necessary conditions for following the democratic principle. In semblance, the word polycracy describes the same form of government, although from a slightly different premise: A polycracy is a state ruled by more than one person, as opposed to monocracy. The word is derived from Greek poly which means "many" and kratos which means "rule" or "strength".
Chambers 20th Century Dictionary
Polyarchy
pol′i-ar-ki, n. government by many persons of whatever class.—n. Pol′yarchist. [Gr. polys, many, archein, to rule.]
Numerology
Chaldean Numerology
The numerical value of polyarchy in Chaldean Numerology is: 4
Pythagorean Numerology
The numerical value of polyarchy in Pythagorean Numerology is: 6
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"polyarchy." Definitions.net. STANDS4 LLC, 2025. Web. 6 Feb. 2025. <https://www.definitions.net/definition/polyarchy>.
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