Rise and Decline of the German Party THE LEFT

On the Topicality of Robert Michels’ and Bodo Zeuner’s Criticism of Political Parties

Abstract

In 1911, Robert Michels developed his »iron law of oligarchy« – the thesis that democratic socialist organizations necessarily generate power oligarchies and alienate themselves from their program and membership base. Originally based on the experience of early 20th century’s SPD, the argument has since been repeatedly confirmed in various contexts. Using recent developments in the German party THE LEFT, the article discusses whether the mechanisms described by Michels are still effective today and what organizational structures could be used to counteract them. In this context, the causes of THE LEFT’s crisis are analysed from an internal perspective.