Kachelman: The Iron Law of Oligarchy
The Bosses of the Senate, Lithograph, J. Ottmann Lith, Co.
Guest post by John L. Kachelman, Jr.
The Shakespearean idiom “there is method in madness” refers to the fact that there is a rational purpose in one’s action, even though it may appear crazy to another person. The chaos and apparent insanity of the action masks a reasoned course of action.
I am not a lone voice bemoaning the “crazy” state of our society—civility has been erased; political governing has been replaced by selfish profiteering; judicial restrictions have been compromised and restraint has devolved into vigilantism; legislation has become hobbled by bitter bias. Many identify with the ancient who declared, “I cry out Violence! Strife exists; contention arises; the Law is ignored; justice is never upheld. The wicked surround the righteous; and justice comes out confused.”
The anger of the population is stirred by this “craziness.”
However, that anger will be incensed when the curtain is pulled back, and the truth of the madness is recognized.
What is happening is neither isolated nor unique. Our nation (world) is in the throes of evil, and many blithely shrug and say “This is crazy!”
An explanation for the madness enveloping our culture is “The Iron Law of Oligarchy” is reigning in our executive, legislative and judicial government. This brief article cannot fully develop this intriguing fact, but it highlights the machination and hopes it stimulates further study.
A Concept of Political Theory
The “Iron Law of Oligarchy” is a “political theory.” “Political Theory” is a discipline that sets the foundations for justice, legitimacy, and power in the governed population. Among the topics discussed and implemented are democracy, equality, rule of law, global justice, international relations, realism and idealism, education, deliberation, institutional innovation, and the organization of knowledge. Thus, those governing a nation follow a controlling political theory. Such governing may appear “crazy” but there is method in their madness! Many are willingly ignorant about the political theories impacting the governed.
“The Iron Law of Oligarchy” was developed by the German-born Italian sociologist Robert Michels in his 1911 book Political Parties. This book is often viewed as “the book” for political theorists and is recommended in many political science courses. The majority of politicians and bureaucrats are trained by this theory. There are many bullet points highlighting the horrors of this malignant theory, but
Source: The Gateway Pundit
