5 Comments
User's avatar
Alexis Ludwig's avatar

Love the factual matter of trade-offs, including the loss of “efficiency” in connection with democracy. Puts the relentless focus on so-called efficiency into interesting context. At what cost? As a former diplomat focused on political matters, I think a lot about Churchill’s over quoted quip about democracy being the worst form of government in existence with the exception of all the others. Still true, I’m afraid, as we may be about to rediscover the hard way.

Expand full comment
DENNIS B MURPHY's avatar

We are likely to see a test of that legitimacy soon in the USA considering the current POTUS has several times said he may not leave office in four years- heck we may not even have an election.

The current administration is also showing how damaging inconsistency can be- yes policies usually change when one party's candidate wins and replaces the other party, but usually not so drastically as we have seen these last three months!

Expand full comment
Jim Guleke's avatar

Poignant and timely.

Expand full comment
A. E. Pfab's avatar

There's a foundation dedicated to paying off African rulers who choose to obey term limits

Expand full comment
Robot Bender's avatar

IMHO, money is power in tangible form. I think that's one reason that the rich keep on accumulating wealth (beside greed). After a point, the amount doesn't really matter much in practical terms.

Expand full comment