Kakistocracy

“As nightfall does not come at once, neither does oppression. In both instances, there is a twilight when everything remains seemingly unchanged. And it is in such twilight that we all must be most aware of change in the air – however slight – lest we become unwitting victims of the darkness.” – Former United States Chief Justice William O. Douglas warning about what he saw occurring in his country

oil painting copyright (c) peter.ca

(This is an old painting of the war's notorious "brown shirts" raising their right hands in the Nazi salute.)

Definition of Kakistocracy:
A Kakistocracy is rule by the least worthy, least ethical. 

The term can be applied to government, corporations, churches, universities, and so on.

Purpose:
The only purpose of a kakistocracy is to funnel all wealth (in every form - fiscal, spiritual, legal, power, etc.) toward those at the pinnacle.

Example:
A guru for example may set herself up as the "road to enlightenment". Around her are the chosen few who ensure that "donations" are taken from those attending a satsang and held "in trust" for the guru's "foundation". That is to say, for herself and her confreres. Or a scientific peer review panel may set itself up as the authority on what is or is not scientifically valid, using theory rather than replicable fact to justify their decisions.

Methods:
There are several methods commonly used by kakistocrates:

  1. Create the threat of an outside force to frighten others into silent compliance. For example, the church may create a concept of a devil who gives eternal punishment to those who do not act the way the church hierarchy wishes them to act.
     
  2. Create an invasive surveillance system to remove privacy rights for individuals. A Roshi may for example, set up a hierarchy in which more senior disciples spy and report on those who fail to obey the rule of sitting still in the zendo.
     
  3. Create increasingly restrictive laws to limit freedom of movement and freedom of association. A dictatorship may forbid its soldiers from sending pictures home of what is really happening on the battlefield.
     
  4. Use intimidation - allow military/police/force against the citizenry. A gang leader may phsycially harm, cause to be imprisoned, or even kill any member who threatens his leadership.
     
  5. Limit basic human rights and ignore international conventions which protect individuals.
    A military strong man may withhold food supplies from those who do not swear allegance to him.
     
  6. Implement a massive propaganda network, control the press, and marginalize objective discourse. A pop-guru may write books such as "the power of then" saying that "enlightenment" is mysterious and can only be attained by following hin plan, and that any other way is false.
     
  7. "Dumb down" the educational system (e.g. by removing objective history from the curriculum). High schools and universities may completely eliminate history as a mandatory program, and what little history remains is revised to show the current dictator is wise and invades other countries out of compassion to share his wisdom and way of life.
     
  8. Lie. (See my pages on 'politics' in the menu at left.)


Result:
The result of all kakistocracies is permanent, perpetual war.
The war is always and simultaneously on two fronts:

  1. Internal: All dissent - ideas contrary to those in power - is vigorously suppressed.
  2. External: Resources are taken by force from those reluctant to give them.

For example, a group of bullies may steal the lunch money from everyone else in the school yard. Any who object (dissent) are vigorously beaten. In time the bullies carry their schoolyard tactics to bicycle parks, the mall, the local gym, and so on.

Kakistocracies in the real world:
 Kakistocracies use force - so look at my pages on military, and collateral damage, and the costs involved. Then if you are interested, check out my section on politics. The true measure of the success of propaganda is when the majority of people do not realize they are the subjects of propaganda manipulation.

How to end Kakistocracy - a real world example of hope: 
Take a look here to see how one human being was able to almost single handedly end two rival factions of  a single large Kakistocray. It is a story of courage and hope, and an example of what world leaders could do, and be if they really believed their own words.