A government with corrupt rulers who use their power to exploit the people and natural resources of their own…

Step 1: Analyze the question The question describes a government whose rulers are corrupt, use power to exploit the people and natural resources, and do so to increase their personal wealth and political power. We need the term that matches this description.

Step 2: Explain the concepts

• Autocracy: rule by one person with absolute power. It describes who holds power, not whether they steal.
• Capitalism: an economic system based on private ownership of the means of production. It is not a form of government.
• Kleptocracy: from the Greek kleptes (thief) and kratos (rule), meaning "rule by thieves." It is a government whose leaders use their positions to plunder national resources and enrich themselves.
• Oligarchy: rule by a small group of people, usually the wealthy or powerful. It describes how many rule, not corruption.

Step 3: Match the description The key phrases are "corrupt rulers," "exploit the people and natural resources," and "extend their personal wealth." These point directly to theft of state resources for personal gain, which is the definition of kleptocracy.

Autocracy and oligarchy describe the structure of power, and the question is about the corrupt behavior of the rulers. Capitalism is an economic system, so it does not fit at all.

Step 4: Answer The correct option is C. kleptocracy.

Exam tip: Break the word into its roots. "Klepto-" means steal, as in kleptomaniac, so kleptocracy means "rule by thieves." Also, "-cracy" always means rule, so the first part of the word tells you the type: auto (self), oligo (few), klepto (theft).