IN THE YEAR 1911, WHO ARGUED MOST REPRESENTATIVE SYSTEM DETERIORATES TOWARDS AN OLIGARCHY OR PATRIARCHY

• A. Robert Michels ✓
• B. Adolf Gasser
• C. Adolf Hitler
• D. Edmunde Burke

The answer to the question is: A. Robert Michels

In 1911, Robert Michels, a German sociologist, argued that the most representative system deteriorates towards an oligarchy or patriarchy. This argument is famously known as the “iron law of oligarchy.” Michels put forth this theory in his seminal work “Political Parties: A Sociological Study of the Oligarchical Tendencies of Modern Democracy,” which was published in 1911. In this work, Michels contended that even in democratic organizations, power becomes concentrated in the hands of a few individuals or a small group, leading to an oligarchical structure. He based his argument on his observations of various political parties and labor unions, where he noted that leaders tended to consolidate power and become increasingly detached from the rank-and-file members.

Michels’ theory has had a significant impact on the study of political sociology and organizational behavior. It has been widely discussed and debated by scholars seeking to understand the dynamics of power within democratic systems and large organizations.