A Notable Counterexample

The video explores the Iron Law of Oligarchy, a theory by Robert Michels suggesting that all forms of government eventually lead to oligarchy. Michels, initially a socialist, observed that political parties in Europe were overtaken by elites, leading him to a pessimistic view of democracy. However, the speaker argues that classical Athens serves as a counterexample, maintaining a robust democracy where ordinary citizens had influence. This challenges the inevitability of oligarchy, suggesting that under certain conditions, democracy can thrive without devolving into oligarchy.

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