Przywództwo oligarchiczne i jego społeczne uwarunkowania w świetle „Partii politycznych” Roberta Michelsa

The article is devoted to the reception of Robert Michels's concept. Robert Michels accomplishments include being the author of the “Iron Law of Oligarchy”, being Max Weber's apprentice, and also co-editor of the famous journal Archiv fur Sozialwissenshaft und Sozialpolitik. Despite these impressive credits, Michels remains little-known in Poland. In the article, an attempt was made to introduce Michels in a biographical context. Furthermore, the article discusses the controversies surrounding the thoughts and evolution of the “Iron Law of Oligarchy's” author. However, the main purpose of the article is to explain the social determinants of the oligarchization of leadership in political parties. Michels states that, the necessity for organization and leadership immanently causes the oligarchical tendencies in social systems. In his book “Political Parties” he considered, that mass character of social phenomena makes direct-democratic leadership impossible. Even such organizations as political parties (especially socialist parties), and/or opting for democratic ideas, in fact simulate democratic standards.