Political Parties Quotes

“Organization implies a tendency to oligarchy. In every organization, whether it be a political party, a professional union, or any other association of any kind, the aristocratic tendency manifests itself very clearly. As a result of organization, every party or professional union becomes divided into a minority of directors and a majority of directed.”
― Robert Michels, Political Parties: A Sociological Study of the Oligarchical Tendencies of Modern Democracy

“He who says organization, says oligarchy”
― Robert Michels, Political Parties: A Sociological Study of the Oligarchical Tendencies of Modern Democracy

“The consciousness of power always produces vanity, an undue belief in personal greatness. The desire to dominate, for good or for evil, is universal. These are elementary psychological facts. In the leader, the consciousness of his personal worth, and of the need which the mass feels for guidance, combine to induce in his mind a recognition of his superiority (real or supposed), and awake, in addition, that spirit of command which exists in the germ of every man and woman. We see from this that every human power seeks to enlarge its preogatives. He who has acquired power will almost alwayss endeavour to consolidate it and to extend it, to multiply the ramparts which defend his position, and to withdraw himself from the control of the masses.”
― Robert Michels, Political Parties: A Sociological Study of the Oligarchical Tendencies of Modern Democracy

“One who is indispensable has in his power all the lords and masters of the earth.”
― Robert Michels, Political Parties: A Sociological Study of the Oligarchical Tendencies of Modern Democracy