The document discusses dictatorship and oligarchy. Dictatorship is defined as a system where total power is vested in one individual or party, without restraint. An oligarchy is a social system under political control of a small elite. Robert Michels' theory is described, that social systems become oligarchical because people prefer others make decisions, systems are too complex for participation, and leaders consolidate power to maintain privileges. Dictatorships are characterized by one party, one leader, one program, absence of liberty, extreme nationalism, war glorification, and totalitarian control. Oligarchies are ruled by a small portion of people, controlled by powerful families, where people have few rights. Examples of each system are provided.

1. Dictatorship and Oligarchy
By Ragdolls Underground Association

2.  Dictatorship is one of the rivals of the
democratic system. It is a system in which the
total power is vested in one individual or
party.
 F. Neumann - “By dictatorship, we
understand the rule of a person or a group of
persons who arrogate to themselves and
monopolies power in the state exercise it
without restraint”

3.  An oligarchy is a social system under the political control of a
small elite.
 According to the theory of Robert Michels, social systems
become oligarchical because:
 1. People generally prefer to let others make decisions for them.
 2. The system’s complexity makes it impossible for people to
know enough to participate intelligently in decision making,
which makes leaders increasingly indispensable.
 3. Those willing to achieve authority are unwilling to give up the
resulting privileges and prestige and thus try to consolidate and
extend their power in order to keep them.

4.  One party, One Leader and One Programme
 Only one exist to rule – a dictator, a single man
 Absence of Individual Liberty
 No liberty, maximum obedience
 National Glorification
 Extreme and illogical patriotism/nationalism
 Glorification of War
 War is the ultimate means of achieving national greatness
 Totalitarian State
 Controlling each and every aspects of human personality
 Racialism
 Dictators preach racialism.

5.  Rule or government is held by small portion
of populace
 Controlled by a few powerful families
 People have little or no rights or power

6.  Examples of
Dictatorship
 North Korea – Kim
Jong Il
 Examples of
Oligarchy
 South Africa
 Russian Fed.

8. Aristocrats are not connected to royal families
through blood, but they are second in the
social hierarchy
Some experts consider oligarchy to be a
degenerated form of aristocracy