260
See also: Karl Marx 28–31 ■ Max Weber 38–45 ■ Friedrich Engels 66–67 ■
Michel Foucault 270–77 ■ Jürgen Habermas 286–87B
ureaucracy is an enemy of
individual liberty, according
to Robert Michels. In the
early 20th century, he pointed
out the link between bureaucracy
and political oligarchy (the rule
of the many by the few). In his
observations of political parties
and unions, he saw that the size
and complexity of democracies
require hierarchy. A leadership,
with a clear chain of command,
and separate from the masses, is
needed—resulting in a pyramid-
like structure that places a few
leaders in charge of vast and
powerful organizations.
Michels applies Max
Weber’s idea that a hierarchy of
responsibility increases efficiency,
but argues that this concentrates
power and endangers democracy.
The interests of the elites of
organizations, rather than the
needs of the people, become
the key focus, despite professed
democratic ideals. Michels stresses
that the self-interest of those at
the top of organizations always
comes to the fore.Keeping their positions of power
becomes an important role of
bureaucracies such as political
parties; and maintaining an air
of mystery and superiority through
complex voting systems, use
of arcane language, and sub-
committees helps to ensure this.
Officials tend to be well-insulated
from the consequences of their
decisions—bureaucracy protects
them against public accountability.
Oligarchy thrives in the hierarchical
structure of bureaucracy and
frequently undermines people’s
control over their elected leaders. ■THE IRON LAW
O F O L I G A R C H Y
ROBERT MICHELS (1876–1936)
IN CONTEXT
FOCUS
OligarchyKEY DATES
1904–05 Max Weber’s
The Protestant Ethic and the
Spirit of Capitalism sees the
rationalization that results
from bureaucracy as an
inevitable feature of modernity.1911 In Political Parties,
German social and political
theorist Robert Michels
contends that organizational
democracy is an impossibility.1916 Italian sociologist
Vilfredo Pareto argues that
democracy is an illusion; the
elite will always serve itself.2009 The launch of the Chilcot
Inquiry in the UK into the 2003
invasion of Iraq shows the
extent to which officials, such
as ex-Prime Minister Tony
Blair, are protected from being
publicly accountable for their
actions. Many argue that Blair
should be tried for war crimes.Who says organization,
says oligarchy.
Robert Michels