Oligopoly Rule - Party Sociology in Modern Democratic Systems

Author: Robert Michels, translated by Ren Junfeng et al.
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2004-04-01
Features: "The Iron Law of Oligarchy." This principle states: "It is organization that gives the elector to the electee, the agent to the principal, the representative to the represented, a position of dominance. Organization everywhere means oligarchy." Oligarchy is the inevitable outcome of any organization attempting collective action, an 'iron law' that cannot be changed by well-intentioned individuals. The "Iron Law of Oligarchy" has become a classic argument in modern political sociology, serving as the dominant framework for later scholars analyzing bureaucracy, organizational behavior, parties, and representative democracy. This has solidified Michels' status as a classic figure in the fields of sociology and political science.
The translation and publication of this series are a new attempt to continue the efforts of the domestic academic community. This series aims to translate and publish classic and seminal works in contemporary Western political science, contributing to the further introduction of Western political thought and promoting academic development in China. The series covers a wide range of topics, including political philosophy, international dynamics, institutions and culture, macro and micro perspectives, history and reality.