Against the Iron Law of Oligarchy

Constantine Mitzotakis, a professor at Stanford, discusses the Iron Law of Oligarchy, a theory by Robert Mikkels suggesting that all political organizations eventually become oligarchies. Mikkels' studies on socialist parties led him to this conclusion, though he later supported fascism. Mitzotakis explores classical Athens as a counterexample, questioning how a robust democracy can be maintained where citizens influence elite actions. He argues that if Athens defied the Iron Law, it challenges the notion of its inevitability.

What conditions are necessary to maintain a robust democracy according to the text?

Why is finding a counterexample to the Iron Law of Oligarchy considered important?