The Cult of Incompetence

by Émile Faguet

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Genres: Politics

114 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1911

About the author

Auguste Émile Faguet (French pronunciation: [emil faɡɛ]; 17 December 1847, La Roche-sur-Yon, Vendée – 7 June 1916, Paris) was a French author and literary critic.

Faguet was born at La Roche-sur-Yon, and educated at the École normale supérieure in Paris. After teaching for some time in La Rochelle and Bordeaux, he returned to Paris to act as assistant professor of poetry in the university. He became professor in 1897. He was elected to the Académie française in 1900, and received the ribbon of the Légion d'honneur in the next year.

He acted as dramatic critic to the Soleil; from 1892 he was literary critic to the Revue bleue; and in 1896 took the place of Jules Lemaître on the Journal des débats.

Among his works are monographs on Gustave Flaubert (1899), André Chénier (1902), Émile Zola (1903); an admirably concise Histoire de la littérature française depuis le XVII' siècle jusqu'a nos jours; series of literary studies on the 17th, 18th and 19th centuries; Questions politiques (1899); Propos littéraires (3 series, 1902–1905); Le Libéralisme (1902); and L'Anticléricalisme (1906); Vie de Jean-Jacques Rousseau (1911); Petite histoire de la littérature française (1913).

Reviews

[Schehani · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Cult of Incompetence By Emile Faguet, is a book worth reading for those interested in democracy, politics, governance, and administration. Written in early 20th century, the book discusses issues,and challenges of democracy in France and goes on to highlight the role of Prefets, people's,representatives and aristocracy. It focusses on the incompetence of democrats and heightens the competence of aristocrats and identifies a blending if the two for survival of democracy. It makes good use of historical observations and highlights a,range of practical issues in the French context. I found some similarities in the present day Pakistani political context, especially the role of elementry teachers in the elections. I also come to think that people's reps who often get elected to assemblies bare actually aristocrats but show off themselves as reps of people through the facade of General elections here. For me, it was highly interesting read with interesting observation of the author.

[Vladimir · Rating 5 out of 5]

Великолепно! Труд Фаге, наверное, одна из лучших философско-политических книг, которые мне доводилось читать. По меткому мнению издателя: "Эта книга, вроде засмолённой фляги брошенной в море с тонущего корабля". Опубликованная в начале XX века, а написанная ещё раньше, она как никогда актуальна. И сей факт особенно расстраивает. Сложно не признать, тот факт что культ некомпетентности, возведённый демократическими режимами в абсолют, находится на пике расцвета. Массовое отупение и неспособность выполнять даже свои прямые обязанности проникло во все сферы нашей жизни. И если автор только с боязнью предсказывал это, то в наш век об этом можно говорить совершенно открыто без толики ошибки.
Демократия в зените славы. Всеобщее равенство и всеобщее счастье. Вот только чем тупее человек, тем он обычные счастливее. Некомпетентные люди прекрасно создают демократическое общество, они все равны и все счастливы, ведь если все вокруг ничего не соображают, значит и выделяться из толпы некому.
Что самое обидное, это порочный круг, разорвать который невозможно. Недальновидные и некомпетентные люди не в состоянии решить свои проблемы самостоятельно, но при этом демократические выборы, по определению, не могут выбрать профессионала.
Как результат, медленная и счастливая деградация.

[Citesc · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Democracy is thus led quite naturally, irresistibly one may to exclude the competent precisely because they are competent, or if the phrase pleases better and as the popular advocate would put it, because they are competent but because they are unequal, or, as would probably go on to say, if he wished to excuse such action, not cause they are unequal, but because being unequal they are suspect of being opponents of equality. […] This it is that made Aristotle say that where merit is despised, there is democracy.”

“…have you observed what is the common root of our failings both public and private? The common root of both is misunderstanding, forgetfulness and contempt of competence.”

[William Johnson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some valid criticisms of the results of democracy, absurd solutions

Many of the criticisms of the results produced by democracy are valid and easily observed. The penchant for aristocracy and a false meritocracy that satisfies no objective criteria seems at least as bad. The praise of ecclesiastical courts in light of the heinous crimes brought to light in the last century is profoundly evil. Being born into fortunate circumstances is not merit.