The idea
In 1911 the sociologist Robert Michels published a study of European socialist parties. These parties believed deeply in democracy and equality. Yet Michels found that each was run by a small circle of leaders. He concluded that this was not an accident but a tendency of all large organisations, and called it the iron law of oligarchy. Oligarchy means rule by a few.
Why it happens
Large organisations need people who work on them full time. Those people gain expertise, information and contacts that ordinary members do not have. They control meetings, money and communication. Over time, the leaders' interest in keeping their positions can come to matter as much as the organisation's original goals.
In the episode, Dr. Singh uses this idea to explain what he saw reporting on Indian parties: formally democratic organisations in which a few people make the key decisions.
Decide for yourself
- Think of a club, student council or team you know. Who actually makes the decisions?
- Which rules could stop a small group from taking control of an organisation?
- Is some concentration of power necessary to get things done? Where is the line?