Mosca writes: "But the man who is at the head of the state would certainly not be able to govern without the support of a numerous class to enforce respect for his orders and have them carried out; and granting that he can make one individual, or indeed many individuals, in the ruling class feel the weight of his power, he certainly cannot be at odds with the class as a whole or do away with it. Even if that were possible, he would at once be forced to create another class, without the support of which action on his part would be completely paralyzed."
Here, Mosca establishes that the ruler has no love for the teeming masses, but simply needs them to enforce his rule. He would need to create a class to enforce his rule if one did not exist. But other than the ability to enforce his rule, he has no need for the ruled majority.
Michels would agree. Organization is key for Michels, and without the organization of the masses, nothing would actually get done. Of course, it is the rulers job to see to the organization structure, but without the ruled majority's support, the ruling class is up a creek without the proverbial paddle.
Take Michels' words, for instance: "We live in a time in which the idea of cooperation has become so firmly established that even millionaires perceive the necessity of common action. It is easy to understand, then, that organization has become a vital principle in the working class, for in default of it, their success is a priori impossible."
Michels intimates here that even the success of the rulers depends on this same organization and cooperation.
Murcusa's new left acknowledges a paradigm shift in recent years in which the concept of democracy and capitalism has changed entirely. "The rights and liberties which were such vital factors in the origins and earlier stages of industrial society yield to a higher...
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