We live in an era of unprecedented information access, yet we are also witnessing a disturbing trend:
the rise of incompetent leaders who often seem proud of their lack of knowledge.
In a deeply unsettling development, these individuals are not only tolerated but are often celebrated and elected to positions of power.
This is not merely a political anomaly; it's a profound crisis that threatens the very foundation of our democratic societies.
This alarming progression, from ridiculed, to accepted, to celebrated, is not a sudden phenomenon.
It is a pattern that has been taking shape for years, and it poses a clear and present danger to us all.
In this article, we will explore the scope of this problem,
analyze its social and human costs, and confront the daunting challenges it poses to the future of democracy.
The Borowitz Thesis: A Three-Stage Descent
The American writer and satirist, Andy Borowitz, has articulated a compelling thesis that illuminates this troubling trend.
According to Borowitz, the role of ignorance in American politics has gone through three distinct stages:
- Stage 1: Ridicule:
In the past, overt displays of ignorance by political leaders were seen as a serious liability.
Leaders were expected to demonstrate knowledge, competence, and a basic understanding of complex issues.
When caught being ignorant, leaders would be mocked and ridiculed, and these events would often end their political careers.
People who were ignorant had to pretend to be smart.
- Stage 2: Acceptance:
Over time, this shifted, and a subtle but dangerous change took place.
Ignorance started being tolerated, and even accepted as something "authentic," or "relatable".
Politicians started to openly show their lack of knowledge, and were rewarded for this "authenticity," by voters who identified with their lack of expertise.
This led to a situation where "being smart" became associated with being "out of touch,"
while being "dumb" became associated with "being one of us."
- Stage 3: Celebration:
Today, we are witnessing the culmination of this insidious trend, where ignorance is not only accepted, but actively celebrated.
Being well informed, compassionate, empathic, ethical, insightful,
and having the best interest of the community at heart becomes "woke," something that is considered a negative trait,
something that makes the informed leader an outsider and an enemy of "the people."
In today's climate, the goal is not to be the most knowledgeable, but the least informed.
Leaders actively compete to be seen as less qualified, and actively reject facts, science and expertise.
While Borowitz's thesis focuses on the US, this three-stage descent is not a uniquely American phenomenon.
It's a broader trend evident in many democracies across the globe, albeit manifesting in different forms and with varying degrees of intensity.
A Global Crisis: Ignorance as a Path to Power
In countries around the world, we see how this dangerous pattern is playing out:
- In the United Kingdom,
we see how populism fueled by anti-establishment sentiments and nationalist ideas led to a leader
who was demonstrably unable to deliver on the promises he made to the public.
- In Brazil,
the election of Jair Bolsonaro is a particularly striking example of a leader
who actively rejected science and expertise and proudly proclaimed his ignorance.
- In France,
despite the country's strong tradition of intellectualism,
anti-establishment sentiments have allowed leaders who rely heavily on emotional appeals to thrive.
- In Italy,
a political system that is plagued by instability and changing governments creates an environment for populist and anti-system leaders to grow.
- In India,
we see how a cult of personality around a strongman leader can overcome all other considerations, including the candidate's skills and expertise.
- In the Philippines,
Rodrigo Duterte's populist rhetoric led him to power, in what might be considered a blatant dismissal of human rights and the rule of law.
- In Hungary,
the erosion of democratic institutions has created an environment where the ruling regime controls the media narrative and suppresses dissenting voices.
- In Poland,
deep political polarization creates fertile ground for populist nationalist leaders to come to power by exploiting an "us vs them" mentality.
These examples show how the rejection of expertise and rational debate has gained widespread acceptance in many countries,
and how such a dangerous trend can be exploited by unscrupulous leaders seeking to amass power.
The Social and Human Costs: A Stark Reality
The rise of incompetent leaders is not a harmless political quirk.
It carries profound and far-reaching social and human costs:
- Poor Policy Decisions:
Incompetent leaders often make ill-informed and ineffective policy decisions,
leading to economic instability, social injustice, and a general decline in public well-being.
The inability of such leaders to understand complex problems also means that they are unable to come up with solutions that will help the public.
- Erosion of Trust:
When leaders openly reject facts and expertise, they undermine the public's trust in democratic institutions, science, and the mainstream media.
This erosion of trust creates an environment where disinformation thrives.
- Increased Inequality:
Policies driven by ignorance often exacerbate inequalities and create a system that favors the wealthy elite, while leaving the most vulnerable behind.
This widens the gap between the haves and have-nots, and leads to a society where many are left to struggle without assistance.
- Erosion of Democratic Norms:
Leaders who are willing to disregard facts and evidence may also be willing to erode democratic norms and institutions,
posing a serious threat to the future of democracy.
This can range from a disregard of the rule of law to an active suppression of dissent, and the rise of autocratic systems.
- Normalization of Misinformation:
The celebration of ignorance leads to a climate where misinformation and disinformation are normalized,
and where people are more likely to believe things that confirm their biases, rather than seek objective facts.
- Social Division:
A society where knowledge is derided and emotional appeals are favored creates deep social divisions,
and makes it very hard for people to engage in meaningful discussions and find common grounds.
This is not only damaging to social progress, but can also lead to violence and conflict.
- The Human Cost:
When incompetent leaders make bad decisions, it leads to human suffering, and ultimately a loss of life.
From environmental disasters to armed conflict, the price of incompetence is too high for our societies to bear.
The Challenges Ahead: A Call to Action
The rise of incompetent leadership is a complex problem that stems from various sources,
including systemic flaws, technological disruptions, and a decline in civic engagement.
It is not enough to lament the current situation.
We must take concrete action to challenge this alarming trend:
- Reclaim our institutions:
We must reform our systems, strengthen democratic institutions, hold leaders accountable for their actions,
protect journalism, and foster a culture of respect and openness.
- Refine our narratives:
We must create alternative narratives that value knowledge, critical thinking, compassion, and social justice.
We must emphasize facts and evidence over feelings and emotions.
- Engage our communities:
We must take action in our own communities, by promoting civic engagement,
encouraging open discussions, and demanding truth and integrity from ourleaders.
It will not be easy.
The forces that have led us to this point are formidable.
However, we are not powerless.
We must learn from our mistakes and be ready to fight for a better future.
This means rejecting the celebration of ignorance, holding leaders accountable, embracing critical thinking,
and building a society that is inclusive, just, and truly democratic.
Conclusion
The rise of the dunce is not a joke; it’s a crisis.
It's a crisis of truth, ethics, responsibility, and competence that threatens the very fabric of our democratic societies.
By understanding the nature and scope of this problem, we can take the necessary steps to defend democracy, empower competence,
and build a better future for all.
It's time to confront this challenge with courage, intelligence, and unwavering determination.
The alternative is simply unthinkable.
