Iron law of oligarchy
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First elucidated by German sociologist Robert Michels, the "iron law of oligarchy" states that large, complex organizations eventually develop a leadership that tends toward oligarchy as it becomes more interested in preserving its own power than in furthering the original goals of the group.
Michels says that the Iron Law of Oligarchy occurs because delegation is necessary in any organization. This delegation leads to the development of bases of knowledge, skills, and resources among a leadership, which serves to entrench the leadership in office. He sees an inherent tension between the equality of democracy and the specialization of bureacracy.