Reception of Political Parties by Robert Michels in Poland in an international context.

In 2011, it has been a centenary since the best-known book by Robert Michels titled Zur Soziologie des Parteiwesens in der Demokratie modernen. Untersuchungen über die oligarchischen Tendenzen des Gruppenlebens was first published. This work, together with the formulation "the iron law of oligarchy," is the most recognizable component of the scientific achievements of this German-Italian sociologist. In the second half of the twentieth century, Michels's thesis about the contradiction between the organization and democracy had a significant impact on the development of the sociology. "The iron law of oligarchy" inspired many scholars from the United States, Great Britain, France, Germany, and Italy, where to present day Political Parties is regarded as the classic work in the field of sociology of politics. Unfortunately in Polish humanities, Michels has been played quite marginal part. Up until today, there has been no Polish translation of Michels's main book. Nevertheless in Polish literature, there were a few publications dealing with Soziologie des Parteiwesens, which are worth mentioning. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]