Leadership for Good | Host Leaders For Humanity & Business For Humanity | Good Organisations Lab
(COMPETENT) PRIME MISTERS WANTED! Across Europe, the formal qualifications for becoming prime minister are strikingly simple, reflecting the democratic ideal of political accessibility: 1. Citizenship of the country. 2. Minimum age (usually 18). 3. Election or appointment via parliament (or public vote in presidential systems). 4. Eligibility to serve in public office, with no formal requirements for education, experience, or specific expertise. These open requirements demonstrate the ambition of democracies to allow anyone—regardless of background—to rise to the highest political office, emphasizing inclusivity and equal opportunity. However, history shows a different picture. European prime ministers since World War II tend to share similar characteristics: • Mostly men, with female leaders like Merkel and Thatcher as exceptions. • Leaders often assume office between 40 and 65. • Many come from middle-to-upper-class families, often with elite education. • Many have backgrounds in law, public administration, or academia. • Most ascend through established political parties. Thus, while the formal requirements are open, structural factors like party politics, societal biases, and economic privilege mean that men from elite professions dominate leadership roles. Another critical question is whether the current system actually favours competence over party loyalty and promotes capable candidates. For the sake of argument, let's assume an ideal prime minister should embody: • Moral integrity, rooted in character and accountability. • Wisdom and vision, balancing immediate needs with long-term societal flourishing. • Commitment to justice and democracy, safeguarding fairness and individual rights. • Effective communication, essential for diplomacy and coalition-building. • Decisiveness and adaptability, addressing crises with courage. On this basis, it seems fairly evident that the lack of formal qualifications for top leadership roles has not ensured highly qualified leaders. Many of the current candidates would never succeed in gaining equivalent roles in private businesses, and leadership failures all over Europe raise serious questions about whether our system adequately prepare leaders for modern political complexities. In contrast, China’s authoritarian system for example develops leaders through a rigid career path, emphasizing increasingly complex administrative experience. Possible reforms could include: * Formal qualifications, requiring education in public administration, law, and economics. * Career pathways cultivating leadership skills through public service or regional governance. * Performance metrics, ensuring prior success in administrative roles. While democracy's openness to leadership is noble, it has not ensured diversity or competence. As governance challenges grow, modern democracies may need to rethink how they select and prepare leaders, balancing inclusivity and expertise. #transformation #leadership
Thank you for this insightful analysis. While democratic ideals promote accessibility, the reality often favors those with privileged backgrounds, raising concerns about diversity and competence in leadership. I agree that beyond formal qualifications, building a strong social network is crucial. Politics revolves around relationships, and effective leaders excel at leveraging these networks for informed decision-making. These networks offer diverse perspectives and support, essential for navigating complex political landscapes. While inclusivity is important, the ultimate goal should be effective governance. Encouraging mentorship and collaboration within political circles can introduce fresh perspectives and innovative solutions, enhancing leadership competence. Ultimately, balancing inclusivity with expertise and strong networking skills will pave the way for more effective governance in our democracies.
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11hAnother well considered post Otti Vogt. My only question is, would it make any difference? What I hear you say is a more formal structure and more entrenched bureaucracy. Do we do best with career politicians or with those with character and moral courage but may never get a degree in political management because they lack the academic skills required to get into the course? The president of Ukraine seems to be doing a pretty good job at the moment, but what was his background - a comedian? Your own Sir Winston Churchill seems to check all of your boxes but I think you voted him out of the PM office - twice if I remember correctly.