Robert Michels reconsidered. Is there an "Iron Law of Oligarchy"?
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Seminar paper from the year 2013 in the subject Politics - General and Theories of International Politics, grade: distinction, London School of Economics (European Institute), language: English, abstract: This paper critically assesses Robert Michels' famous "Iron Law of Oligarchy". After a summary of Robert Michels' argument, it challenges his assumption that this law of oligarchy is "iron" by giving counter-examples for egalitarian societies in Africa. As these egalitarian societies come along with serious disadvantages, the Athenian model of democracy by lot is presented as a more viable al...
Seminar paper from the year 2013 in the subject Politics - General and Theories of International Politics, grade: distinction, London School of Economics (European Institute), language: English, abstract: This paper critically assesses Robert Michels' famous "Iron Law of Oligarchy". After a summary of Robert Michels' argument, it challenges his assumption that this law of oligarchy is "iron" by giving counter-examples for egalitarian societies in Africa. As these egalitarian societies come along with serious disadvantages, the Athenian model of democracy by lot is presented as a more viable alternative to the law of oligarchy. The conclusion applies this model of democracy by lot to Robert Michels' starting point: the political party.Yes, there is a law of oligarchy. But this law of oligarchy is not "iron", it is man-made. By calling it "iron" Robert Michels commits the cardinal fault of the bourgeois social scientist: he reifies and naturalizes societal processes.
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