When Populism Dresses in a Suit: Why Some Presidents Stay Lumpen Even in Power

Source: Author’s Facebook page

A true statesman stands apart from ordinary citizens because they entrust him with the burden of responsibility for the country’s future — a burden most people instinctively avoid. For many, politics is not about action but about delegation: elect someone else to make the hard choices, bear the blame, and spare the nation from collective adulthood.

It used to work — elections at various levels helped build a political system that gradually identified responsible and competent leaders. Those who proved their effectiveness in smaller roles eventually rose to the national level, prepared to lead with some degree of adequacy and experience.

But over time, people around the world grew disillusioned with traditional politicians and began electing those who resembled themselves — incompetent, impulsive, and prone to making grand promises while delivering very little.

And here came the inevitable result: lumpen presidents behave exactly like lumpen citizens. Just like their electorate, they avoid responsibility, shift blame, and mistake populism for leadership.

A striking example is Donald Trump. He has blamed Biden for our war, the poor US trade balance, and even the price of chicken eggs. He blamed mayors and governors for the generally low level of security in the United States. In short, he shifted responsibility for everything he could onto someone else — all to appear blameless and “handsome” in his own eyes.

Politicians in Ukraine should take note: winning this war does not come from passing the blame — it comes from solving problems. If energy facilities are poorly protected, you can replace the responsible official, but for the entire time their successor holds the position, you must ensure these facilities are actually safeguarded.

Because if Ukrainians are left without light and warmth at home, it will not be “someone else’s fault.” You hold all the power, and therefore all the responsibility, for the state of the country.

The war of attrition we are fighting will be won or lost depending on how well we prepare the nation for resistance. And there is only one person responsible for that.

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