In the maze of thoughts ... An Ideal Leader; A Goal or a Mirage?
As we’re trying to make sense of the glaring incompetence of the naive and cruel ignorance of the “dominant”, there’s a thought that has been brewing in my head. Ever so often, when we feel overwhelmed or unheard, we look for someone who could guide us from the proverbial cave towards the light from the outside. But let’s stop for a while and ponder this; what would such a guide look like? What should be their qualities? And most inmportantly, how can you know they’re the right one?
Now, I’m not going to paint some utopian idealistic image of some “knight in a shining armour”. For one, I don’t possess nearly enough knowledge on the subject (remember, you’re reading ramblings of some rando on the Interwebs who has too many thoughts in his head) nor do I want to compare myself to likes of Machiavelli. And let’s be honest, his image of “The Ruler” isn’t exactly something anyone these days would like. Well, maybe except those ignorantly incompetent. What I’d like to ponder on however is how some quite freqeuent ideas are and the caveats of them.
Let’s start with the idea of a “People’s leader”. More often than not we hear that “the one’s on top are so detached from reality of the common citizen”. And it’s not difficult to find many examples of being right. This makes the desire for the so called “Leader from the People” quite high. Because hey, who better to understand the needs of the many than someone who’s part of the many, right? Well, I invite you to take a look at the manifestations of these leaders. And take a good look not only on the leader but their “subjects”. Now ask yourself: Are these people competent in terms of leadership? Or are they just an angry mob operating on the premise: “Me see suit = Me bash. Me put meself in suit = me good.” Pardon my mocking language but I’m exaggerating on purpose. Well, only partly because it’s staggeringly common to see such image. Besides, I’m sure you’re familiar with the small country called Slovakia and who their PM is. Or if you want a historical example, look at former Eastern Bloc during the height of the “Red Overlords” era. The level of incompentence among the “leadership” is staggeringly high (not the highest though because recent events made them look actually decent at their job … “well done”, UnSA). So, before you start calling for a “Leader from the People”, make sure they have at least some basic intelligence, both intellectual AND emotional.
Speaking of intelligence, previous paragraph may sound as if only highly educated people should be leaders. Yeah, let me stop you right there. I wouldn’t advocate for anything like this. Why? Let’s look a little bit into history again. More specifically into a country which in 1940s had some “purity-obsessed” (as in let’s kill anyone who doesn’t breathe with the correct nostril first) leadership. With some archival research you might be able to find psychological assessments of the prominents of the regime. And what a surprise, they would be scoring quite high when it comes to intelligence (if we use IQ as measurement). Still want someone in the lead just because they’re intelligent? Keep in mind that these people can also learn easily not only academic knowledge but likely some rather unsavoury psychological methods; manipulation, coercion, controlling the crowds to do their bidding etc. “But why would they do this?” you might ask. Ever heard of greed? Lust for power? Selfishness? They are the intelligent, the superior, the “chosen”. For them, you’re lesser beings. Cattle to herd. Sub-human existences to abuse and exterminate once no longer useful. Good lord, I’m going to need a decontamination bath after writing this. It reminded me yet again why I never want to get into a position where I would be an unrestrained authoritarian. Because I’d make the most cruel monsters of the previous century look like kittens. Anyway, let’s not ponder this dreadfully dark path.
So, now what? “Leader of the People” will probably be a dangerous idiot and likely surrounded by yes-people (aka even worse idiots). Highly educated leader poses risk of becoming a supremacist monster. So who’s the ideal leader? Well, weirdly enough, often times they’re the people you wouldn’t notice until the time is right. Because such people come in situations that calls for them. They often become the motivators for broader action. A seed of change that sooner or later blooms. And once the change bears fruit, such leader is no longer needed for their responsibility pulls them back into their mundane lives. “Wait, so you’re telling me there’s no such thing as an ideal leader?” There is, my dear reader. But that leader is not universal. Who’s good for one era wouldn’t fare well in a different one. And those who try and break this rule often fall on their face. In better cases, they only fall themselves. In worse cases, they take many innocent lives with them.
R.R.A.