Our Problems are Solved

Do Politicians Add Value?

There are several ways of dating public recognition in different countries of the utter uselessness of the western political class. The non-reaction to the financial crisis of 2008 is one. In Britain, the tragicomic self-harming episode of the Brexit negotiations was a key moment perhaps. In France the non-Presidency of François Hollande (2012-17) following the cheaply sordid reign of Sarkozy (2007-12). But in any event, no western political system was left standing after the catastrophic mishandling of the Covid crisis and of the crisis in Ukraine that followed. So it seems evident that we are governed by imbeciles, doesn’t it, and that those imbeciles have hollowed out and destroyed the capacity of the states that support them in office? Aurelian.

Our problems are solved

Every problem our society faces–from retirement, to inequality, housing and foreign relations–has been solved by at least one other society.

Japan figured out how to keep streets safe, China figured out how to make education everyone’s priority, Singapore how to be the healthiest.. Australia figured out how to be equitable but then abandoned it: today, only China still ties GDP to wages, yet its businesses thrive and employees own homes.

Do we need politicians?

Housing, safe streets, education, health, longevity, retirement.. there is no lack of workable, affordable solutions to our problems – but our problems fester. Why? Could elected politicians be the problem? For two thousand years, China’s society has thrived without without politicians and the effects are clear:

1. Reduced Partisanship

2. Stability and Continuity

3. Expertise and Meritocracy

4. Long-term Perspective

5. Reduced Corruption

6. Efficiency in Administration

7. Focus on Public Service

8. Enhanced Trust in Government

9. Better Use of Resources

10. Reduction in Political Patronage

China’s civil servants are always copying others’ best practices. In 2013, President Xi