Part 1/9:
The Iron Law of Oligarchy: A Discourse on Democracy and Power
In contemporary discourse about governance, the notion that all political systems tend toward oligarchy rather than true democracy has gained traction, haunted by the specter of elite rule. This principle draws from the insights of Italian political philosopher Robert Michels, whose work from nearly a century ago continues to resonate today. The gist of this principle is articulated through what Michels termed the "Iron Law of Oligarchy," an assertion that all forms of organized social structure, including democracies, inevitably evolve to be governed by a small elite group.