Friday 2 December 2011

A modern Diogenes

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If ever a real, effective and (on the whole) Good leader emerges in the West, I think they will break all the taboos which shackle the mainstream political Right.

They might seem (they might actually be) a bit crazy, unpredictably unpredictable, shockingly rude to those whom they oppose.

They will seem to the ruling elite (and probably will be) relatively unintelligent, simplistic or at least uneducated.

They will not care about their mistakes and will never apologize to their enemies.

They will be un-corruptable because indifferent to comfort, safety and status.

A political equivalent of the Orthodox Holy Fool; a modern Diogenes.

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6 comments:

Gyan said...

But why "they"?

Shouldn't it be a 'He"?

Bruce Charlton said...

I get what you mean - but this wasn't 'inclusive' language but suggesting there would need to be more than one of them. (If there was only one, he would be shut-down easily enough.)

Brett Stevens said...

Asceticism is too easily spoofed. You remember the fellow they called The Incorruptible?

Me too.

I think we need a modern caste of people who can think far enough into the future to know how petty the rewards of corruption are. We had these once; they were called aristocrats.

Bruce Charlton said...

@Brett - Asceticism seems essential for the highest levels of sanctity - subtract it and you just don't get those high levels.

Epimetheus said...

Many years later now seeing this post - it seems like you predicted Trump somewhat. Alas.

Bruce Charlton said...

@Epi - It is the 'somewhat' in your sentence that makes all the difference!