ABSTRACT
In Economy and Society Weber considers democratic rule as an extreme case, existing only in small relatively primitive societies. It is an historical anomaly. Direct democracy, in which the people regularly and exclusively take part in administration, is the sole form of democratic rule. Direct democracy exists where the following conditions are met:
Direct democracy is confined to circumstances such as the relatively isolated and primitive peasant village. Once the organisation passes beyond a certain maximum size and a measure of social differentiation takes place, then direct democracy turns into the rule of notables. Weber says of direct democracy: ‘We must not look, however, upon this kind of administration as the historical starting point for any typical course of development but rather as a marginal type case.’ [ibid., loc. cit] With direct democracy ends rule by the people.
