Our Infantile Search for Heroic Leaders

[Echo In Light]

Our Infantile Search for Heroic Leaders
by Johann Hari

Do you find yourself staring at the television and pining for a good leader — a person who will rise and make the world right again? Do you long for a Mandela, a Churchill, a Gandhi? Then grow up. Our political debate — what passes for it — increasingly focuses on a search for an elusive Messianic leader who will show us the way. This is the opposite of rational politics.

This search for leaders is based on a desire to return to childhood — to snuggle into the political cot and close our eyes, knowing daddy is outside watching over us. The highest compliment we pay to a politician is to call him “father of the nation”. I feel this urge too. It is difficult and disturbing to try to figure out what is wrong in the world, and how to put it right. How much more tempting to simply snuffle out somebody who you think is good and decent and kind, elect them, and assume they will sort it all out.

But this discourages us from doing the one thing that might actually solve these problems — figuring out solutions for ourselves then going out and campaigning to make them happen. Every civilising advance in history — from workers’ rights to women’s rights to gay rights — was won because ordinary people banded together and agitated for it. If we had waited for a good leader to hand it down from above, we would still be waiting today.

http://www.independent.co.uk/opinion/commentators/johann-hari/johann-hari-our-infantile-search-for-heroic-leaders-854278.html

[wtmusic]

1. This essay completely ignores the motivational effect

that charismatic leaders have on the populus.

"Figuring out solutions for ourselves." Makes me wonder if Johann Hari has ever worked in a committee before.

[Echo In Light]

2. Here's another perspective:

Official Culture in America: A Natural State of Psychopathy?
Laura Knight-Jadczyk

http://www.cassiopaea.org/cass/official_culture.htm

[LWolf]

11. That was a fascinating essay. Thanks for posting. n/t

[Echo In Light]

13. There were a few surprisingly active, comprehensive threads on this subject a few months ago

Maybe a search would turn them up if you're so inclined. Thanks :hi:

[OneGrassRoot]

3. To me, it isn't about the "leaders".....it's about the system.....

and getting it back into balance when it's been corrupted, and making sure it doesn't happen again.

How much someone running for office now, in June 2008, is upset with and vocal about our current system is a barometer for me as to how good a leader he/she might be. So many accept extreme compromise because it's required to work within today's "political system" - why are any of you okay with the political system (not you, OP)?

We can't expect any elected official to provide change unless the system is changed. Granted, the right person(s) at the helm CAN be significantly helpful in changing the system, but if his/her followers aren't demanding that of them, why should they? The current political system works for politicians and corporations, not the citizens.

[Echo In Light]

6. Exactly, which is why it's time for the citizenry - provided they give a shit - to take a stand

And take the bottom-up steps toward making those changes occur, rather than continuing on business-as-usual like, hoping that {or oblivious to} A Great Hero will come along and handle the problem for us ... which is highly implausible if The Hero comes from and represents the vested interests who seek to keep things moving in the same rightward direction.

[no_hypocrisy]

4. Hitler and Mussolini capitalized on that infantile mentality.

[RufusTFirefly]

12. And so -- ahem! -- does religion.

Oooh! Did I say something bad??

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

5. Reliance on and, trust in, "leaders" is an easy way of avoiding responsibility.

Not to mention it's downright undemocratic.

"Government, even in its best state, is but a necessary evil; in its worst state, an intolerable one."
Thomas Paine

[ginnyinWI]

7. Yes--and when your candidate is your hero--

you can't admit to them having any flaws at all. They must be the perfect candidate who will save you and your country from all its problems. Nothing else, and no one else will do!

I've been there and done that--but not this time around. All candidates have flaws, whether we can see them at the time of an election or not. But our job is to vote for the BEST candidate, not the perfect one, so our job is indeed possible.

I've very pleased with Obama, his policies, his talents, his intelligence, his morality, his family, his toughness, his heart, and his appeal to youth. But he's not my hero--not yet. I'm still going to work for him and keep donating and will be there with bells on to vote for him!

[blindpig]

8. k&r n/t

[KG]

9. well, it's a good thing none of that going on on DU!

:rofl:

[Echo In Light]

10. Bump

[Hydra]

14. The author has a point

If I were asked to step in and fix the economic and foreign policy crisis, I would demand a hefty reward for my services, and I would deserve it.

A funny trend in America is the desire to get something cheaply or for free. Invading Iraq, raping, torturing and killing indiscriminately there would be justifiable to most Americans if it meant oil prices would go down to $20 per barrel and gas $.89/gallon.

In the same way, they want a cheap hero- someone who will fix everything without any effort on their part and no risk to their necks.

NEVER GOING TO HAPPEN.

[conspirator]

15. I don't need any leader. I am an anarchist. All I need are friends n/t