{"product_id":"robert-michels-reconsidered-is-there-an-iron-law-of-oligarchy-von-maximilian-konrad","title":"Robert Michels reconsidered. Is there an \"Iron Law of Oligarchy\"?","description":"\u003cp\u003eSeminar 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eYes, 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"aw-variant-hidden-subtitle-div\" id=\"aw-variant-subtitle-9783346059383\"\u003e\u003ch3\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Libri","offers":[{"title":"Softcover - 9783346059383","offer_id":39429538316381,"sku":"9783346059383","price":9.99,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0940\/0622\/files\/6381b196-dda9-4efd-9f32-6059ab2d7caf.jpg?v=1778214209","url":"https:\/\/shop.autorenwelt.de\/products\/robert-michels-reconsidered-is-there-an-iron-law-of-oligarchy-von-maximilian-konrad","provider":"Autorenwelt Shop","version":"1.0","type":"link"}