A Notable Counterexample

The video explores the Iron Law of Oligarchy, a theory by Robert Michels suggesting that all forms of government eventually lead to oligarchy. Michels, initially a socialist, observed that political parties in Europe were overtaken by elites, leading him to a pessimistic view of democracy. However, the speaker argues that classical Athens serves as a counterexample, maintaining a robust democracy where ordinary citizens had influence. This challenges the inevitability of oligarchy, suggesting that under certain conditions, democracy can thrive without devolving into oligarchy.

Why is classical Athenian democracy considered a significant counterexample to the Iron Law of Oligarchy?

What implications does disproving the Iron Law of Oligarchy with the example of Athens have for social science?