The term 'ruling class' refers to a group of people who have power and authority over a society. This could include GENTILITY, ARISTOCRACY, GENTRY, plutocracy, ELITE, and MONARCHS. GENTILITY is a term used to describe the upper class of a society, usually consisting of wealthy families. ARISTOCRACY is a form of government in which power is held by a small group of people from the highest social class. GENTRY is a term used to refer to the upper class of a society, usually consisting of landowners and members of the nobility. Plutocracy is a form of government in which power is held by the wealthiest members of a society. ELITE is a term used to refer to a select group of people who are considered to be the most powerful or influential in a society. Monarch is a term used to refer to a ruler who has absolute power over a country or kingdom. All of these terms can be used to describe a ruling class in a society.