About the Author
Robert Michels (1876-1936) was a German sociologist who studied in England, France, and Germany. After joining the Socialist party for a short period of time, and later the Fascist Party, Michels disappeared from politics periodically due to his disillusionment with the parties. He wrote Political Parties: A Sociological Study of the Oligarchical Tendencies of Modern Democracy, a highly influential work.
