Robert Michels  - iron law of oligarchy

Robert Michels spelled out the iron law of oligarchy in the first decade of the 20th century in Political Parties. According to this theory, all forms of organisation, regardless of how democratic or autocratic they may be in the beginning, will eventually and inevitably develop oligarchic tendencies.

• Michels argued that organizational oligarchy resulted, most fundamentally, from the imperatives of modern organization: competent leadership, centralized authority, and the division of tasks within a professional bureaucracy.  As an organisation grows, it becomes increasingly complex and requires a specialised division of labour. Organisation’s survival necessitates the development of a leadership class that gains more power and control over time, leading to a concentration of authority and the formation of an oligarchy.

• For example, in a political party, the party leaders, who are initially chosen democratically, amass increasing power, making unilateral decisions rarely questioned by members. Over time, the party becomes an oligarchy, ruled by a small group of powerful leaders.
• However Iron law of oligarchy can be dysfunctional also as it creates hurdles for entry of fresh talent in leadership. Oligarchy also monopolise power which leads to opacity, corruption and erosion of Democratic norms and processes.

Vilfredo Pareto’s circulation of elites

• Pareto was an Italian sociologist and economist, and his theory posits that society is characterized by a constant circulation of elites. He categorized these elites into two main types, the “lions” and the “foxes.”
• Vilfredo Pareto’s concepts of “lions” and “foxes” draw inspiration from Machiavelli’s “The Prince.” Machiavelli’s work emphasized strategic and ruthless political leadership, which Pareto adapted by categorizing elites as “lions,” who use force like Machiavelli’s ideal ruler, and “foxes,” akin to Machiavellian cunning and political maneuvering, reflecting the enduring influence of Machiavelli’s ideas on the understanding of elite dynamics.

Lion

• They are generally a residue of persistence. They are more They believe in gradual change in society. They don’t believe in rapid change and transformation as they emphasise on stability in society. They don’t mix very easily with society. They’re generally career politicians.
• Lions maintain their position through physical force or coercion. Lions are often found in government, military, or other institutions that directly exercise physical power. These elites use force to maintain their dominance.
  Eg. Leadership of former USA president Barack Obama.

Fox

• Pareto called them residues of combination. They are very cunning and believe in the principle of Maximum gain. They’re generally speculative in nature and advocate for rapid change and transformation. They don’t believe in the status quo. They easily mix up with people.
• Foxes are the elites who rely on cunning, manipulation, and intellectual skills to attain and maintain power. They operate in areas such as politics, finance, and diplomacy, where subtlety and maneuvering are more effective than raw physical force. Foxes use their wit and strategy to outmaneuver competitors.
  Eg. Leadership of former USA president Donald Trump.

They both are essentially different from each other in theory but in practical scenario not mutually exclusive:

• While Lions and Foxes in Pareto’s theory represent different approaches to attaining and retaining power, it’s essential to recognize that these categories are not mutually exclusive. Individuals may exhibit traits of both lions and foxes, depending on the context and strategies they employ.
• While the lions use force and aggression, the foxes use cunning and manipulation. However, both are driven by the same desire for power and control.

The iron law of oligarchy and the differentiation between foxes and lions in Pareto’s theory have significant implications for understanding modern power dynamics. These concepts help explain how organizations, governments, and societies are shaped by elite control and the interplay between different types of individuals in positions of power.