As a profession, political leaders, and indeed elected (or otherwise) representatives, don’t get a ‘good press.’ And such a reputation is mostly deserved. I’m thinking here in particular of UK Prime Ministers and US Presidents, but the disappointment goes far wider (other countries) and deeper (party leaders and MPs in general).
Whilst we should never expect to like everything our leaders do, our recent and current representatives do seem to be a particularly poor bunch. I began to reflect on how we’ve ended up with such a seemingly inept shower.
Joseph de Maistre, an 18th century French philosopher, is probably best remembered for his perspective that ‘People get the leaders they deserve.’ But I’m not sure his words today are right to blame today’s electorate. All voters, no matter how switched on and aware they are, can be influenced and swayed by politicians using techniques such as clever manipulation, subliminal programming, slavery to debts, bribery, fear, bullying, and especially lying.
Historical leaders
Humans are tribal. Even those who reject this concept are in the tribe of not wishing to identify with a tribe. For much of recorded history, and likely prehistory, tribal leaders were those who were the strongest and best fighters. The more intelligent, and cunning, individuals adopted astrological mysticism and religion as their way of establishing their priority and influence over the tribe. Having a powerful fighter as leader was essential for the tribe when resources, land, water, food, and childbearing-age females were sought by the tribe. Wars were fought over resources and religion, but ultimately resources, for the expansion and betterment of the tribe. They still are.
Ruthlessness, cunning, skulduggery, and of course physical strength and fighting ability were key attributes for leaders at that time. And with these skills came the rewards of fame.
Joshua (Hoshea son of Nun), Alexander the Great, Hannibal, the Roman Caesars, Hardrada, William Duke of Orange, Richard Coeur de Lion, Genghis & Kublai Khan, Vlad Drăculea (Vlad the Impaler) are amongst many historical figures because of their victories in warfare, and their savagery. Leaders were not nice caring people. They still aren’t.
But when was the last time the UK leader (monarch) led their troops on the battlefield?
(answer at the end of this article)
Our leaders today
Today, however, we tend not to determine our country’s leaders by violence. Wealth and people control are the new fighting skills. Our leaders are not military fighters, but that does not mean they’re nice people. The same ruthless determination of old is still an attribute. Our leaders are skilled people, but I argue the skills they have do not serve them well for political authority of leadership roles.
Successful politicians are excellent orators; they often are very charismatic; they have excellent public speaking skills, they’re resilient (in that they can deal with criticisms without becoming upset), and they have confidence, determination, and self-belief.
But rather unfortunately for the wider population, they are usually not blessed with high intellect. I would doubt many are in the [mean + 1 standard deviation] of intelligence measures; they have limited problem solving and creative thinking skills; and they will rarely if ever admit they got something wrong. Evidently, they are also unable to employ unbiased or independent thinkers to make up for their skills-gaps, often employing narcissistic self-aggrandising advisers. I cite Dominic Cummings and Elon Musk as perhaps two classic cases, but SPADs (special advisers) more generally often have an inflated view of their intellect.
Our politicians will often say what they think people want to hear. They will appeal to ‘populism’ whilst operating to ‘hidden agendas.’ They will subconsciously, even consciously now, encourage the population to believe that we are not responsible for our own failings, or that someone or some group is to blame for our failure to achieve what we are told we deserve by right of birth. Throughout history a perceived external enemy has been used to manipulate members of the tribe. Today we’re encouraged to believe it’s asylum seekers, immigrants, Muslims, Russia, Iran, and China.
Tribal conflicts
Leading the tribe to success on the battlefield has now been replaced by wealth and the ability to manipulate people. As an aside, can you imagine for example Starmer, Badenoch, Farage, Biden, or Trump leading troops in battle? Zelenskyy acts like he does but has been nowhere near danger. And King Charles with all his show-medals? At least Harry served in Afghanistan albeit in an undoubtedly protected role.
Conflict over resources will continue until humanity either becomes extinct or we radically change our ethos and form of government. Today’s wars are wars over resources. Ukraine seen as Russian by Russia; Zionist Israel wants to exterminate the Palestinian tribe to seize land and resources; Syria, Yemen, Sudan, Nigeria, Democratic Republic of Congo, and the Sahel region are all beset with devastating civil and tribal wars. Humanity will always exhibit greed, hoarding and tribalism, but a fairer system of resource distribution will help to avoid conflicts and wars.
Types of government
What sort of leaders do we need in government? And does this depend on the system of government? The four main forms of government are fascism, capitalism, socialism, communism. Fascism and communism have bad names. I contend that this is rightly so for fascism but would ask you to reconsider communism and socialism.
We have been programmed since our earliest childhood to treat communism as an external enemy, and an evil system. The baddie in Thunderbirds was The Hood – a man operating out of his hideaway in the Malaysian jungle. The Aquaphibians – the baddies in Stingray looked very different to the American heroes Troy Tempest & “Phones” Sheridan, and they spoke in an unknown language.
Within our Western culture, Communism is the perennial external enemy. And rightly so, communism is indeed a threat to capitalism. We are told we must have capitalism, yet it has failed many people. Its need for continual growth leads to environmental destruction, it produces homelessness, working poverty, and creates a form of money-based slavery. I fear we are moving towards dictatorial capitalism with the powers of US President and ‘first past the post’ UK Prime Ministership. Communism does not have the same failings as capitalism, but of course has its own drawbacks too, predominately in the area of ‘individual freedom.’ We could debate what ‘individual freedom’ means within capitalism but that’s for another day.
Ironically, and somewhat amusingly, with the emergence of China as a global economic superpower, it’s becoming evident that ‘communist’ China is beating Western capitalist countries at their own game.
The future
So where does this all leave us? How should we select our leaders in new world order? We are the most educated, politically aware, connected people ever in history. We have no reason to fall prey to the influences I cited earlier. But we do, and we will continue to do so unless and until we recognise these influences.
But who cares, who really cares? Most of us just want our comfy warm contented life. And why not? These are basic human needs. But we all need to care. The world is changing and within our lifetimes we will see environmental destruction, shortage of resources (especially water and food), and many regions of the Earth becoming uninhabitable because of climate change. These changes are inevitable and will create both more wars and mass migration on a scale never-before seen. For any tribe to survive we will need not only strong leaders, but highly intelligent, problem-solving people in leadership positions. As Aristotle said in the 4th century B.C ‘They should rule who are able to rule best.’
How can we choose the ‘best’?
My view is that we need to look, and examine, our councillors/MPs/leaders’ characters, their background, and beliefs. We should not just listen to their words. Watch their actions, how they treat people, and what they’ve done before. Do they have the integrity to admit their mistakes? Especially question their motivations for seeking your vote for office. Are they truly the person you want to represent you? But always remember, no one is perfect, no one will meet all our expectations. What are your own priorities? What are your own biases? Expect to be disappointed!
I finish here by saying that the views expressed in this article are mine and do not necessarily reflect those of the editorial or production team at North East Bylines. I welcome any comments, feedback, and discussion.
Answer to question: George II at the 1743 Battle of Dettingen – against the French.
