Robert Michels reconsidered. Is there an 'Iron Law of Oligarchy'?

Seminar paper from the year 2013 in the subject Politics - General and Theories of International Politics, 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.