project WORLDVIEW worldview theme playing card #20 description         copyright 2013               Home   

club WV Theme...               #20A / 20B              ...individual<--->group

   ELITISM / AUTHORITARIANISM

I have problems with democracy. I think most people are ill-prepared to decide what is best for society. Assemblies of such people are not to be trusted: I fear their collective strength. Society is best served by a select group of clear-sighted, capable leaders / experts. Highly educated, trained, and groomed to wield power, they should oversee maintenance of law & order, promote production of wealth, and guide the masses toward ends they deem to be appropriate. (Note: Elitists often identify with "capital" rather than “labor,” and with “capable leaders / experts.” They may not readily identify with the leader(s) of an authoritarian socio-political system, one based on the subjugation of individual rights. Only those obediently willing to submit to the authority of the leader(s) would be comfortable with this system.