"Iron Law of Oligarchy," formulated by sociologist Robert Michels in 1911. Michels argues that democracies inevitably lead to oligarchies, where a small political elite holds power over the masses, undermining the true essence of democratic governance.
1. The Iron Law of Oligarchy:
• Robert Michels proposed that in democratic systems, there is a natural tendency for power to concentrate in the hands of a few—often referred to as party elites—rather than remaining with the general populace.
2. Reasons for Oligarchy:
• Need for Organization: Democracies require political parties, which need strong leadership to function effectively. This often leads to the emergence of professional elites who dominate decision-making.
• Voter Knowledge and Influence: Many voters lack the knowledge and ability to make informed decisions, leading them to rely on experienced leaders, further empowering party elites.
• Charismatic Leadership: Party members with superior qualities can effectively influence public opinion and create dedicated followings, allowing them to control political agendas.
3. Isolation of Elites:
• Once in power, party elites tend to isolate themselves and pursue their interests, often disregarding the will of the voters. They maintain their power by presenting policies as beneficial to society while actually serving their own interests.
4. Impact on Policy:
• The competition between parties can create an illusion of choice, but in reality, party policies tend to converge, leading to a "party cartel. " This results in limited options for the electorate and facilitates radical policies that may not reflect grassroots democracy.
5. Political Globalism:
• This form of governance is marked by decision-making in secrecy among a small group, often favoring special interests. Oligarchs benefit from the complexities in governance, making it difficult for citizens to affect change.
6. Role of Experts:
• State institutions, managed by experts, prioritize maintaining existing principles, fostering "path dependency. " Once decisions are made, it becomes increasingly challenging to reverse them, hindering democratic flexibility.
7. Global Currency as a Goal:
• Advocates of democratic socialism favor creating a unified world currency, which would centralize control and limit autonomous decision-making by individual nations, enhancing the power of the oligarchy.
The discussions rooted in Michels’ theory suggest that contemporary democracies are increasingly oligarchized, where elite interests dominate governance over the average voter’s influence. The trend of political globalism and the reliance on complex institutions further reinforce this shift, creating significant barriers for genuine democratic engagement.
https://mises.org/mises-wire/illusion-democracy-iron-law-oligarchy
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