Political Parties

Focusing on power dynamics within organizations, this influential work explores how even the most democratic groups, like socialist parties, become dominated by a small leadership elite. It introduces the "iron law of oligarchy," arguing that all organizations inevitably develop oligarchical structures. Additionally, it examines how radical political parties often compromise their original goals through the pressures of electoral engagement, laying the groundwork for moderation theory. This classic text is essential for understanding the sociology of power and organizational behavior.