Download or read book Robert Michels reconsidered. Is there an "Iron Law of Oligarchy"? written by Maximilian Konrad and published by GRIN Verlag. This book was released on 2019-11-13 with total page 8 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Seminar paper from the year 2013 in the subject Politics - International Politics - General and Theories, 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.