http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Union_Democracy http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iron_law_of_oligarchy#Examples_and_exceptions excerpt : "The book addresses the factors that influence the power structure<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Power_structure> and decision making <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Decision_making> processes in organizations <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Organization>, with a specific focus on the political systems<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Political_system> of democracy <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Democracy> and oligarchy<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oligarchy>. The problem seen as central by the authors was the difficulty of maintaining democracy in organizations. The issue was first raised by Robert Michels<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_Michels> in his *Political Parties <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Political_Parties>* and termed the Iron law of oligarchy<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iron_law_of_oligarchy>: all forms oforganization <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Organization>, regardless of how democratic <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Democratic> or autocratic <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Autocratic> they may be at the start, will eventually and inevitably develop into oligarchies<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oligarchy> "...