The State is Doomed! 18-19

18. In Jacques Ellul’s earlier works, he promulgates the idea that politics are essentially illusory in a technological society. The political class has no choice but to rely upon the advice of the technical class in establishing policy. Written in the days of scientific management, during a period all world powers were focus upon efficiency, the essence of the argument is still valid. In any system, the human element can provide major shifts in certain aspects. Most such attempts will ultimately be expressed by an immense governing apparatus represented by various interest. The human component can refuse to implement bad policy, but specialization ensures few will be aware of the greater whole. Bad policy is enabled by best practices. Hence, idiotic political appointments can steer a functioning ship of state into solid rock. Systemic reform is akin to bailing a ship steered by the inept. The inevitable can only be delayed.

19. Policy failures are often the result of incorrect projections of ideology on reality. A verbal world is falsely assumed to be universal. The resultant calamities are unsurprising. Verbal worlds are unavoidable in a technological society. One can only hope to possess a world view that is as consistent and complementary to reality as possible. Rather than become mentally rigid, like many a product of university faculty, one must learn and understand other points and counterpoints. Unfortunately, few ever bother; those that do mostly should not.