Political Parties: A Sociological Study of the Oligarchial Tendencies of Modern Democracy - Softcover

Michels, Robert

Softcover

ISBN 10: 168422022X ISBN 13: 9781684220229

Publisher: Martino Fine Books, 2016

Synopsis

2016 Reprint of 1962 Edition.  Full facsimile of the original edition, not reproduced with Optical Recognition Software.  This work, first published in German in 1911 introduced the concept of iron law of oligarchy.  It is considered one of the classics of social sciences, in particular sociology and political science.  This work analyzes the power structures of organizations such as political parties and trade unions.  Michels' main argument is that all organizations, even those in theory most egalitarian and most committed to democracy - like socialist political parties - are in fact oligarchical, and dominated by a small group of leadership.  The book also provides a first systematic analysis of how a radical political party loses its radical goals under the dynamics of electoral participation. The origins of moderation theory can be found in this analysis.

About this title

About the Author:

Robert Michels (1876-1936) was considered a founder of political sociology. He was the author of a variety of books including German Social Democracy as an International Association and Proletariat and Bourgeoisie. He wrote regularly for The Archives of Social Science in Germany.

About this edition

• Publisher: Martino Fine Books
• Publication date: 2016
• ISBN 10: 168422022X
• ISBN 13: 9781684220229
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 380