A small group of people having control of a country, organization, or institution. A small clique of private citizens who exert a strong influence on government. A government in which a small group exercises control especially for corrupt and selfish purposes. It is the rule of the few, and they are generally richer and more powerful than others. Sometimes they may be elected, sometimes they are born into their position, and at other times you might have to have a certain amount of money or land in order to be part of this group. What is the correct term/word that fits this definition?