The Iron Law of Oligarchy, Revisited

http://www.techcentralstation.com/091505D.html

Interesting discussion by Lee Harris on how all political systems end up as oligarchies.

I disagree with his proposition, that religion is the only solution (I think there is no solution), but it is not a completely ridiculous conclusion, and the discussion is worth reading.

Quote:

The sociologist's name was Robert Michels and the book that is no longer read was published in 1911 under the title On the Sociology of Political Parties in Modern Democracies -- the English translation of which was shortened to Political Parties. The central thesis of Michels' book was summed up by the author in the following words:

"The fundamental sociological law of political parties (the term 'political' being here used in its most comprehensive sense) may be formulated in the following terms: It is organization which gives birth to the domination of the elected over the electors, of the mandataries over the mandators, of the delegates over the delegators. Who says organization, says oligarchy.'"