merchant prince

English

Noun

merchant prince (plural merchant princes)

1. (chiefly historical) One who wields great de facto political power by virtue of his economic assets and control over trade and commerce; a mercantile plutocrat.
   • 1951, Isaac Asimov, Foundation (1974 Panther Books Ltd publication), part V: “The Merchant Princes”, chapter 18, page 189, ¶ 2

     “So then,” said [Ankor] Jael, “you’re establishing a plutocracy. You’re making us a land of traders and merchant princes. Then what of the future?”