Given below are two statements:

Statement I: Oligarchy is a government dominated by the few.
Statement II: Robert McKenzie formulated the iron law of oligarchy.

In light of the above statements, choose the correct answer from the options given below:

Correct option is C

Statement I:

"Oligarchy is a government dominated by the few."

• This statement is true.

  • Oligarchy is a form of government or power structure where a small group of people (often the wealthy, elite, or a specific class) holds significant control over decision-making and governance. This definition aligns with the classical understanding of oligarchy in political science.

Statement II:

"Robert McKenzie formulated the iron law of oligarchy."

• This statement is false.

  • The iron law of oligarchy was not formulated by Robert McKenzie but by Robert Michels, a German sociologist. Michels introduced this concept in his 1911 book Political Parties. The iron law of oligarchy states that all organizations, even those that are democratic in intent, tend to develop oligarchic structures over time, with power concentrated in the hands of a few leaders.

Statement II is false:

• Robert McKenzie was a British political scientist known for his work on political parties and leadership, but he did not formulate the iron law of oligarchy. The credit for this concept goes to Robert Michels.

Conclusion:

• Statement I is correct because oligarchy is indeed a government dominated by a small group.

• Statement II is false because the iron law of oligarchy was formulated by Robert Michels, not Robert McKenzie.

Thus, the correct answer is:

(3) Statement I is correct but Statement II is false.