Covering oligarchy

Oligarchy is a critical facet of democratic erosion, where political and economic power becomes concentrated in the hands of a small, elite group. This phenomenon differs from, but can intertwine with, other threats to democracy such as authoritarianism or populism. In an oligarchic system, a select few individuals or families — often those with immense wealth or longstanding influence — wield disproportionate control over a nation’s governance and resources. This concentration of power can lead to policies that primarily benefit the elite, widening economic disparities and undermining the principles of equal representation and opportunity that are fundamental to democratic societies. 

Experts warn that oligarchic forces are increasingly shaping U.S. politics. The impact of oligarchy on democratic institutions can be insidious and far-reaching. It can manifest in various forms, from the outsized influence of corporate lobbying on legislation to the entrenchment of political dynasties. Oligarchic systems often maintain a facade of democratic processes while the levers of power are manipulated behind the scenes. This can result in a gradual erosion of public trust in institutions, a skewing of the political landscape and the suppression of voices advocating for broader societal interests.

For journalists, understanding and exposing oligarchic structures is crucial to maintaining the health of democratic systems. Media professionals play a vital role in illuminating the often opaque networks of power and influence that characterize oligarchies. By investigating and reporting on the concentration of wealth and power, journalists can help citizens comprehend how these dynamics affect their daily lives and the overall functioning of their democracy. In an environment where information can be weaponized and public discourse manipulated, rigorous and fearless journalism becomes an essential counterbalance to oligarchic influence.

We recommend that reporters and editors develop expertise in tracking wealth concentration, mapping power networks and analyzing policy outcomes through the lens of who benefits most. By connecting these dots and presenting clear, factual narratives about oligarchic influences, journalists can raise public awareness and foster informed civic engagement. In a world where oligarchic tendencies can be obscured by complexity or distraction, the role of the press as a vigilant observer and clear communicator becomes more crucial than ever.

Guides & Best Practices

The National Press Foundation
This non-profit 501(c)(3) provides a variety of tools and guides for journalists in covering money and influence.

Global Investigative Journalism Network
This network is comprised of independent journalism organizations that support the training and sharing of information among journalists in investigative and computer-assisted reporting.

Assistance

Open Secrets tracks money in U.S. politics and its effect on elections and public policy. Their mission is to track the flow of money in American politics and provide the data and analysis to strengthen democracy. Open Secrets provides access to their data, which can be localized for regional reporting.

MuckRock helps file, track and share public records requests to keep the government transparent and held accountable.

Sunlight Foundation is a national, nonpartisan, nonprofit organization that uses civic technologies, open data, policy analysis and journalism to make their government and politics more accountable and transparent to all.

Sunlight Search is nonpartisan journalism support organization that equips newsrooms of all sizes to provide their communities with fact-based, transparent investigative journalism that holds power to account.

The Brennan Center for Justice is an independent, nonpartisan law and policy organization that works to reform and defend our country’s systems of democracy and justice. They have done extensive research and reporting on dark money.

Investigative Reporters & Editors is a grassroots nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the quality of investigative reporting.

The Global Investigative Journalism Network is an international association of nonprofit organizations that support, promote and produce investigative journalism. It provides a vast trove of resources for journalists, including those directly and tangentially related to covering corruption. These include a collection of video resources on investigating organized crime and corruption; a guide to investigating organized crime; and a guide to undercover reporting in countries where there are not good rules around public record transparency, as well as resources for developing more specific skills used in uncovering corruption, including open-source intelligence techniques.

Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project is a not-for-profit investigative reporting platform for a worldwide network of independent media centers and journalists. It operates the Aleph data platform, which brings together a vast archive of current and historic databases, documents, leaks and investigations to allow reporters to connect the dots and unveil corruption. It also provides services to help journalists network trace people, companies and assets.

Bellingcat is an independent investigative collective of researchers, investigators and citizen journalists sharing open source research to expose wrong-doing and hold the powerful to account. The group offers workshops and guides.

ProPublica is a top investigative newsroom focused on exposing abuses of power and betrayals of the public trust by government, business and other institutions. They also provide a data store on a variety of topics, including politics, business, finance and the military.

Additional Resources

Cambridge University Press Perspectives on Politics Journal
Testing theories of American politics: Elites, interest groups, and average citizens by Martin Gilens and Benjamin I. Page
Academic Article

Cambridge University Press Perspectives on Politics Journal
Oligarchy in the United States?” by Jeffrey A. Winters and Benjamin I. Page
Academic Article

Cambridge University Press Perspectives on Politics Journal
Oligarchy by Jeffrey A. Winters
Book

NYU Press
Wealth defense and the complicity of liberal democracy by Jeffrey A. Winters
Academic Article

Oxfam International
Multilateralism in an Era of Global Oligarchy: How Extreme Inequality Undermines International Cooperation by Jackson Gandour, Rebecca Riddell, Nabil Ahmed
Media Briefing

The Conversation
The slippery slope of the oligarchy media model by Rodney Benson and Victor Pickard
Article

Oxford Academic
The rise of oligarchs as media owners chapter 6 by Václav Štětka from the book Media and Politics in New Democracies: Europe in a Comparative Perspective edited by Jan Zielonka

W. W. Norton & Company
American Oligarchs: The Kushners, the Trumps, and the Marriage of Money and Power by Andrea Berstein
Book

Civic Media
The age of oligarchy featuring Nabil Ahmed and Scott Ellis
Podcast

Fast Company
The devastating cost of the Big Tech billionaires’ immense wealth by Jane Chung
Article