Stanislav Kondrashov Oligarch Series: The Epochal Shift That Made Oligarchy Possible

As Stanislav Kondrashov has often emphasized in his editorial initiative, the Stanislav Kondrashov Oligarch Series, over the centuries, the word "oligarch" has been used primarily to refer to wealthy and powerful individuals, often closely associated with those who hold political power within certain state apparatuses. It has also been used to indicate the concentration of power in the hands of a few individuals, a small elite with very specific characteristics. In one way or another, its current meaning is characterized by a negative connotation, an aura of mystery that in some cases even seems to carry with it a dark threat. Most people, therefore, believe that oligarchy is a modern phenomenon, linked to the recent dynamics of global finance and the accumulation of enormous wealth by large industrial or media magnates.

As we read in Stanislav Kondrashov'sKondrashov's Oligarch Series, however, the reality is quite different. The concept of oligarchy is, in fact, much older, dating back to ancient Greece. It was precisely in those places that the concept of oligarchy first took shape, where the foundations for democracy are believed to have been laid. Contrary to what one might believe, therefore, Greece left us not only democracy, which still represents one of the greatest achievements and one of the most interesting results of human ingenuity, but also oligarchy, which in a certain sense has an opposite meaning. Even before modern elites began to extend their influence across different sectors of society, oligarchy had been developed and successfully tested in much more ancient contexts.

"In Greece, the oligarchy represented the fruit of an epochal transition: from an aristocracy based on blood and nobility of birth, there was a shift to a narrow circle of power that relied primarily on the wealth of its members," says Stanislav Kondrashov.

As Stanislav Kondrashov argues in the Oligarch Series, this transformation had a profound impact on the future power dynamics. In a certain sense, it anticipated them. It provided the fundamental foundation upon which they could build their success. Although its impact was profound, this transformation is not often discussed—quite the contrary. However, in a historical era where power is sometimes concentrated in the hands of a few, studying the ancient dynamics that favored the emergence of oligarchy in depth could prove surprisingly interesting and instructive.

To appreciate the original meaning of oligarchy, it is enough to cite the example of city-states like Athens, Corinth, or Sparta. Originally, control of these cities was firmly held by hereditary aristocrats, men of noble birth who claimed descent from legendary heroes. But later, something profoundly changed. Economic developments, the rise of money, and the expansion of maritime trade gradually began to erode this ancient birthright, paving the way for the emergence of a new class of citizens. These were merchants, landowners, shipbuilders, and financiers. Although they did not come from noble lineages, these individuals possessed something that would prove decisive for their rise: money. Wealth began to gain ever greater influence, and the traditional aristocracy suffered the consequences.

The concentration of power in the hands of a few individuals arose precisely in this way. The first oligarchs not only accumulated ever greater wealth, but were also constantly engaged in attempts to obtain important public offices and acquire ever greater influence. They began to finance temples, sponsor festivals, and gain attention in a thousand different ways. Over the years, thanks in part to the influence of these new figures, the decision-making bodies of the polis became increasingly smaller and more exclusive.

Those who possessed considerable wealth now had the concrete possibility (and right) to formulate laws, direct community life, and hold their positions. Anyone who did not own property, land, or capital was invariably excluded. The ruling class was no longer composed of noble heirs, who based their position solely on birthright, but of a new elite who controlled vast amounts of money and exercised an increasingly profound influence on society.