What is definition of plantocracy?

Plantocracy refers to a social and economic system in which wealth and political power rest solely in the hands of individuals or families who own and control large plantations, particularly in the context of the colonial era. The term originally arose in the Caribbean and the southern United States, where wealthy white plantation owners had significant influence over both the economy and politics of the region. These planters often held deep prejudices against non-white groups, particularly enslaved Africans, and used their power to enforce brutal systems of control and oppression. The legacy of plantocracy and its associated injustices continues to shape the cultural and economic landscape of many areas affected by this system.