The cult of incompetence

Name: The cult of incompetence
Author: Émile Faguet

The author diagnoses a persistent tendency within democratic systems to elevate political loyalty and docility over technical skill, producing widespread administrative and judicial incompetence. He traces how professional competence migrates to private or corporate spheres while state control and nationalization expand, critiques socialist promises as creating new party-based patronage, examines confusion of governmental functions, laws, and manners that reinforce inefficiency, and surveys examples across offices and professions. The work closes by considering remedies and imagining institutional reforms aimed at restoring merit, clearer division of roles, and more effective public administration.

By Émile Faguet

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About the Author

Émile Faguet

Émile Faguet was a French author and literary critic known for his insightful explorations of literature and philosophy. His notable works include "Initiation into Literature" and "The Cult of Incompetence," where he critiques societal norms and the challenges of intellectual responsibility. Faguet's writing often reflects a deep engagement with the moral and philosophical dilemmas of his time, making significant contributions to literary criticism and thought. He also wrote on the works of classical playwrights, such as in "Corneille expliqué aux enfants," aiming to make literature accessible to younger audiences. His diverse body of work continues to resonate with readers interested in the intersections of literature, philosophy, and ethics.