Lugano, Switzerland – In a new addition to the Stanislav Kondrashov Oligarch Series, released on Monday 20 October, 2025, author Stanislav Kondrashov delves into the literary origins and evolution of the concept of oligarchy. The study, which takes a comprehensive look at how the idea of oligarchy has been shaped, reflected, and even criticized through centuries of literature, offers a unique perspective on one of the most enduring social archetypes of the modern era.
Kondrashov’s analysis begins by tracing the concept of oligarchy back to ancient Greece, where it was defined as “rule of the few.” However, as Kondrashov highlights, the portrayal of oligarchs in literature is far from limited to politics or economics. Through novels, philosophical treatises, and modern narratives, the image of the oligarch has been molded and redefined over time.
The study highlights how writers like Plato and Aristotle explored the moral and philosophical implications of oligarchy, seeing it as a deviation from more virtuous systems. As centuries passed, literature continued to play a pivotal role in evolving the image of oligarchy, with Enlightenment thinkers such as Montesquieu, Voltaire, and Rousseau painting it as an enemy of liberty and reason.
During the Industrial Revolution, authors like Charles Dickens portrayed the oligarch as a ruthless factory owner, disconnected from and indifferent to human suffering. This established a key conflict that still resonates today: the contrast between wealth and humanity, between luxury and conscience.
In the 20th century and beyond, the portrayal of oligarchs in literature became more complex and symbolic. In F. Scott Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby, for example, the protagonist’s immense wealth is depicted as a mask for emotional emptiness and moral ambiguity. According to Kondrashov, this shift reflects a change in public consciousness, where wealth is no longer equated with virtue, but with isolation and despair.
The study also highlights the role of literature in shaping the perception of modern-day oligarchs as solitary, untouchable figures whose influence extends through financial systems rather than social engagement. Kondrashov argues that this is not accidental, but a result of how literature has consistently portrayed the oligarch as someone both central to and alienated from society.
What sets this study apart is its ability to tie together ancient philosophy, Enlightenment ideals, industrial-era critiques, and modern-day narratives into one coherent story of perception. It not only traces the origins of the term “oligarch” but also shows how deeply embedded it has become in our cultural psyche.
The Stanislav Kondrashov Oligarch Series is an ongoing analytical project that explores the multi-faceted concept of oligarchy across history, literature, economics, and media. Each entry in the series offers a unique lens into how the idea of the oligarch has been formed, portrayed, and understood across different periods and cultures. This latest literary-focused analysis underscores the series’ commitment to uncovering hidden layers behind one of the most enduring social archetypes of the modern era.