Entrenched elites and the fallacy of hope

( – promoted by buhdydharma )

America is bogged down in an economic and political crisis, but the overarching problem is that of a failure of elites. The people who have gained top leadership positions in business, government, and non profit institutions in the last two decades have demonstrated extremely poor performance. Why can’t we replace this generation of bad leadership? Because the elites have learned how to defend themselves through elaborate networks of personal alliances.

Any attempt to remove a top leader is checked by that leader’s allies. You can’t get rid of idiot NY Times columnists like Friedman or Brooks, because they are defended by incompetent chief editor Keller. You can’t get rid of Keller, because he is defended by irresponsible owner Sulzberger. You can’t get rid of Sulzberger because he is defended by investors who owe him favors.

The same problem exists in just about every large, dysfunctional institution. Nobody bucks authority, because authority has the power to crush dissent. In a short time, America has changed from a pragmatic and independent nation to an enfeebled society dominated by cronyism. Managing “relationships” is now the crucial career skill, and every other consideration, including the public welfare, is secondary.

There will never be incremental reform of these elites. They must be replaced wholesale, and unfortunately that will not happen without considerable social turmoil. America’s elites have decided to defend their rich franchises against the public interest, but the public interest will prevail. This harsh and difficult struggle will define the next decade.

16 comments

Skip to comment form

    • TomP on October 1, 2009 at 17:20

    means to do so.  Elites are powerful and a frontal attack is suicidal.

    A refrom path allows one to improve people’s lives, which is important, and it also radicalizes those who see how limited it is.  

    It can be a long term and short term strategy, always advocating for further change even as one settles for “compromises.”

    I see no other even possibly viable path.  And this may fail also.  

    • TomP on October 1, 2009 at 17:22

    powerful tool in any revolutionary’s tool kit.  People don’t fight when they are hopeless, they walk away.

    Hope inspires sacrifice.  So, I disagree with your title.  

  1. the house that Jack built eh.

    • Inky99 on October 1, 2009 at 19:01

    As far as they’re concerned, they’re not failing at all!

    Goldman Sacks?   Booming.   Insurance companies?   Booming.    Pentagon?   Booming.   The M.I.C.?   Laughing all the way to the bank.

    I mean, c’mon, you have to wreck the economy now and then.   When else would you create such wonderful “buying opportunities?”

Comments have been disabled.