Question

Over a hundred years ago, robert michels coined the phrase "__________" to describe when interest group leaders do not properly serve their members, and he argued that larger interest groups were especially susceptible to unresponsive or abusive leaderships.

Answer 1

The iron law of oligarchy which was introduced by Robert Michels, a German sociologist, in his 1911 book entitled Political Parties. This is a political theory that claims that oligarchy will inevitably emerge within an organization which is democratic as a part of its the ‘tactical and technical necessities’. Sooner or later the ‘iron law” will eventually develop within a democratic organization. He was able to observe that power within an organization will always be delegated to individuals within that group, elected or posted, etc. This happens since no large and complex organization can function properly as a direct democracy. He also introduced the idea that eventually every organization will be run by a “leadership class” in the form of paid administrators, executives, spokespersons, political strategists, organizers, for the organization.