History Main / MerchantPrince

* A modern example: the oligarchs of [[TheNewRussia 1990s Russia]]. These ''nouveau riche'' capitalists were the power behind the [[VodkaDrudenski ever drunk]] Boris Yeltsin.

* A modern example: the oligarchs of [[TheNewRussia 1990s Russia]]. These ''nouveau riche'' capitalists were the power behind the [[TheAlcoholic ever drunk]] Boris Yeltsin.

** The Alliance Captains also had a weapon in their arsenal - [spoiler: the threat of a General Strike that would bring all commerce in Human space to its knees. Union backed down and agreed to recognize Alliance rather than have that happen.]

* In Creator/CJCherryh's ''Literature/AllianceUnion'' series, the Alliance was created by the heads of powerful merchant clans who didn't want to be controlled either by Earth or by the newly-formed technocratic Union, so they used their wealth and power to create a new independent government headquartered at Pell which they basically control (after having fought Union to a standstill).

* In the first ''Literature/{{Foundation}}'' novel (which was reprinting stories previously published in SF magazines) the final story is "The Merchant Princes." The Foundation has become a merchant of technology, and rules the Four Kingdoms surrounding it thereby. Hober Mallow, the "Merchant Prince" of the story, uses technology brokering to expand the Foundation's sphere of influence even further.

* Xaro Xhoan Daxos in ''Literature/ASongOfIceAndFire'', richest man in Essos and member of "The Thirteen," the ruling council of the city of Qarth.

* In ''VideoGame/{{Civilization}} V'', the "Commerce" policy path most strongly resembles establishing a medieval-Italian-style maritime merchant republic; your "title" while on the "Commerce" path is even "Doge" (the title of the head of the Venetian and Genoese Republics).

* A modern example: the oligarchs of [[TheNewRussia 1990s Russia]]. These ''nouveau riche'' capitalists were the power behind the ever drunk Boris Yeltsin.

* In ''VideoGame/DragonAge'', use of the in-game codex and chats with some [=NPCs=] reveal that the country of Antiva, while nominally a monarchy, is effectively a plutocracy- ruled by a dozen or so merchant princes with personal armies, vast resources and a heaping helping of the local assassin order, the House of Crows.

* ''The Republic'' DLC for ''VideoGame/CrusaderKings II'' adds a new system of government based on this. Whichever Patrician takes control during succession is the one with the most prestige, [[OlderIsBetter age]], and invested cash.

* The upcoming DLC ''The Republic'' for ''VideoGame/CrusaderKings II'' will allow players to become one of these within the great merchant cities of (among others) Italy and the Hanseatic League.

* Elihu Willsson, the "Czar of Poisonville" in ''Main/RedHarvest''. A powerful and rich industrialist, he had enough influence over half of California and de facto rule a city... until he lost control of the corrupt officials and gangs that helped him put down a worker's strike.

* Elihu Willsson, the "Czar of Poisonville" in ''Main/RedHarvest''. A powerful and rich industralist, he had enough influence over half of California and de facto rule a city... until he lost control of the corrupt officals and gangs that helped him put down a worker's strike.

* Most of the aristocrats in {{Dune}} are this at least to some degree.

* The Ferengi in ''Series/{{Star Trek Deep Space Nine}}'' (and the general ''Star Trek'' 'verse) were a PlanetOfHats of merchant princes, as political power was very much connected to success in business.

* The Ferengi in ''{{Star Trek Deep Space Nine}}'' (and the general ''Star Trek'' 'verse) were a PlanetOfHats of merchant princes, as political power was very much connected to success in business.

* J.P. Morgan, the American philanthropist and financier. Morgan's skills in business not only transformed the economy, but also managed to use his influence to offset ''two'' economic panics. In addition, Morgan financed [=McKinley's=] campaign during his election and re-election.

The '''Merchant Prince''' is a merchant or other capitalist who uses the wealth, knowledge, and skills ([[ScrewTheRulesIHaveMoney often including outright bribery]]) he has acquired to become a member of society's ruling class. Unlike in OneNationUnderCopyright, the Merchant Prince doesn't necessarily own outright the society he rules, or even run a MegaCorp; he may, in fact, be only the "first among equals" among many competing merchants. However, this usually doesn't keep him from trying to run the government like he would his business.

* Prince William of Ceta in ''[[Literature/ChildeCycle Dorsai!]]''. Using his business talents, William managed to acquire enough political power to de facto rule a ''planet''. [[spoiler: And managing to manipulate the interstellar market, almost conquered all of inhabited space.]]

* The upcoming DLC ''The Republic'' for ''VideoGame/CrusaderKings'' will allow players to become one of these within the great merchant cities of (among others) Italy and the Hanseatic League.

A particularly successful IntrepidMerchant often "retires" to become one of these. In more modern settings, expect a lot of these to also be {{Corrupt Corporate Executive}}s Some video games based on the AnEntrepreneurIsYou model may have becoming one as the player's goal.

A particularly successful IntrepidMerchant often "retires" to become one of these. Some video games based on the AnEntrepreneurIsYou model may have becoming one as the player's goal.