onlooker wrote:Throughout history, I think many of you would agree we have been ruled quite poorly.
The Iron Law of Oligarchy
"Michels (1911) came to the conclusion that the formal organization of
bureaucracies inevitably leads to oligarchy, under which organizations
originally idealistic and democratic eventually come to be dominated by a
small, self-serving group of people who achieved positions of power and
responsibility. This can occur in large organizations because it becomes
physically impossible for everyone to get together every time a decision
has to be made. Consequently, a small group is given the responsibility of
making decisions. Michels believed that the people in this group would
become enthralled with their elite positions and more and more inclined to
make decisions that protect their power rather than represent the will of
the group they are supposed to serve. In effect Michels was saying that
bureaucracy and democracy do not mix. Despite any protestations and
promises that they would not become like all the rest, those placed in
positions of responsibility and power often come to believe that they too
are indispensable, and more knowledgeable than those they serve. As time
goes on, they become further removed from the rank and file...
"The Iron Law of Oligarchy suggests that organizations wishing to avoid
oligarchy should take a number of precautionary steps. They should make
sure that the rank and file remain active in the organization and that the
leaders not be granted absolute control of a centralized administration.
As long as there are open lines of communication and shared decision making
between the leaders and the rank and file, an oligarchy cannot easily
develop.
"Clearly, the problems of oligarchy, of the bureaucratic depersonalization
described by Weber, and of personal alienation all are interrelated. If
individuals are deprived of the power to make decisions that affect their
lives in many or even most of the areas that are important to them,
withdrawal into narrow ritualism (overconformity to rules) and apathy are
likely responses.
americandream wrote:The Iron Law of Oligarchy contemplates a fully instinctual species. Humankind however is conscious and has the capacity to override this law. The capacity.....
Poordogabone wrote:americandream wrote:The Iron Law of Oligarchy contemplates a fully instinctual species. Humankind however is conscious and has the capacity to override this law. The capacity.....
"The capicity....."
I agree, the difference between the rest of the Darwinian world and us is that we have a conscience. So in theory we should one of these days get are s**t together. 12,000 y Since agriculture/societal organization, 700/800 generations.....
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