ABSTRACT
One approach to the question of democracy is by way of its crucial oppo site, oligarchy. Ideas about oligarchy have generally been confused or over simplified, especially where trade unions are concerned. We will discuss the meaning of oligarchy and the various forms in which it has existed in large trade unions. Finally, we will extract some common organisational features of oligarchic rule as it exists in large unions so that a theory of organisational democracy can take them into account.
