CHITRAL: Socrates warned that democracy risks decline when the uninformed/misinformed masses choose the unqualified. Today, especially in developing regions, that warning feels more relevant than ever. Traditional electoral democracy—built for an era of limited information, small populations, and slower change—struggles to cope with the complexity, speed, and technological realities of the modern age.
Elections have become expensive, polarizing spectacles rather than reliable mechanisms for selecting competent leadership. Patronage, manipulation, media engineering, and institutional capture have pushed democratic processes to the brink. The result: systems riddled with corruption, inefficiency, and leaders who often lack the expertise needed to manage 21st-century states.
The world has changed. Governance has not
A new era demands a new model—one rooted not in popularity contests, but in merit, competence, and measurable ability. Just as societies rely on qualified professionals to operate aircraft, manage hospitals, and design infrastructure, the same standard must apply to those entrusted with national leader.
Also read: Meritocracy
A scientifically designed system of meritocratic selection, using rigorous examinations, psychological assessments, leadership evaluations, and transparent performance metrics, could produce presidents, legislators, and administrators chosen for capability rather than charisma. Such a system would reward integrity, intelligence, and technical understanding—qualities desperately needed in public office today.
This is not an argument against representation; it is an argument against the failure of outdated mechanisms. Democracy, as practiced, has been stretched, distorted, and corrupted beyond recognition. If nations are to survive the pressures of technology, globalisation, and internal fragmentation, they must rethink how leaders are chosen.
The future belongs to systems that prioritize competence over spectacle—merit over manipulation. The sooner societies recognize this, the sooner they can pull themselves out of the cycle of dysfunction and rebuild governance worthy of the modern world. .. CN report, 30 Nov 2025