Kakistocracy.
Not bureaucracy, not religiousity, and, for sure, not meritocracy.
I’d never heard the word. I’d never read it before. But in our interesting times, I have learned a few things.
According to Wikipedia:
Kakistocracy is government by the worst, least qualified, or most unscrupulous people.[1]: 54 [2][3]
The word was coined as early as the 17th century[4] and derives from two Greek words, kákistos (κάκιστος, ‘worst’) and krátos (κράτος, ‘rule’), together meaning ‘government by the worst people’.[5]
American poet James Russell Lowell used the term in 1876, in a letter to Joel Benton, writing, “What fills me with doubt and dismay is the degradation of the moral tone. Is it or is it not a result of Democracy? Is ours a ‘government of the people by the people for the people,’ or a Kakistocracy rather, for the benefit of knaves at the cost of fools?”[11]
Keep that word in mind as you read further.
This past week, a friend mentioned an extraordinary play I attended at Court Theatre in Chicago in 2013. It was a one-person show adapted from Homer’s Iliad.
The online study guide describes:
The Iliad … is an epic poem traditionally attributed to Homer. Set during the Trojan War, a ten-year siege of the city of Troy (Ilium) by a coalition of Greek states, it tells of the battles and events that took place during the weeks of a disagreement between the Greek King Agamemnon and the warrior Achilles.
A drama can stick with you. You might have witnessed a scene that is hard to get out of your mind. An Iliad, as the one-man theater piece is called, offered such an experience.
I was not alone in this. Friends who attended were all struck not only by the actor’s ability to recall every name on the long list he uttered. They were overwhelmed by what he told us about ourselves, our past, our world, and our future.
One possible future of humanity
I have given you two clips from the play below; the first is a one-minute introduction. The second is the stunning three-minute excerpt I referred to:
I hope you will watch at least the second of these: the actor Timothy Edward Kane’s chilling recitation of a list of wars, from Court Theatre’s production of An Iliad. Kane is a more than competent man who demonstrated his craft and preparation.
You will hear name after name after name. All the titles by which the conflicts are called today.
Several could be added to the list the narrator exclaimed. War has not ceased since 2013.
A play without competence displayed by its director and actors is unthinkable.
War is a different thing.
Incompetence is an inevitable component of wartime, especially among those in the lead, a quality that stands alongside the heroes sharing its history.
Now, a few days into a new conflict, we appear to have a term for the creators of a grand but misguided venture.
What do you think? Does the K expression apply to the evolving circumstances?
The word has been waiting a long time for a place in a sentence.
What a misfortune that it fits any moment at all.
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The top image is of an Ancient Greek Storage Jar sourced from the Art Institute of Chicago.
yes, I believe it fits perfectly.
Thank you, Beth. I am grateful for your thoughtful attention to my writing, and in this case, for my good luck (of sorts) with finding a word (and a play) that both fit our time.
What a performance by actor Timothy Edward Kane! That must’ve been quite a theatrical performance.
Kakistocracy. I’ve never heard the word before. Tragically, it perfectly fits the current leadership of the world’s most powerful nation. As you once told me, Dr. Stein, we live in interesting times.
I share your thoughts, Rosaliene. I wouldn’t be surprised if the play reaches a theater near your home. I know you would appreciate it. I almost used the word “enjoy,” but that is a word that does not fit “An Iliad.”
I’m speechless, Dr. Stein, but thank you very much for this post:)
I gather you watched the clip, Martina. Speechlessness fits. You are welcome.
Yes, Dr. Stein I watched both clips and it was what and the way the excellent actor spoke that provoked my reaction. All the best:)
Thank you, Martina. You got the full impact and I appreciate that you took the time.
Incredibly interesting word and so very applicable right now. I find this both terrifying and heartbreaking we live in this world.
Agreed, Deb. Living on the razor’s edge is a balancing act. It is, at the least, a complicated time. Thank you for your very welcome comment.
Living on the razor’s edge. Truth.
I wish it were otherwise, Tamara, but we don’t get to choose the epoch we inhabit. In the current situation, life seemed on the right path for a while, at least to me. Only now have many of the boomers realized how lucky we were. Thank you, Tamara.
Dr. Stein…so timely this post. Kane’s profound recitation prompted instant tears…flowing as he spoke. We are so much better than this, but when will we learn? Thank you for a powerful morning message. ❤️
Some ideas take a while to come together. In this case, the word, the memory of Kane’s recitation, and the time we live in. I wish it were otherwise. I hope, as you say, that we demonstrate “we are so much better than this…” Thanks, Vicki.
Kakistocracy – fitting. I just hope it’s like emotions and we can name it to tame it.
Kane’s speech is so moving. What a misfortune that it fits any time at all indeed. Thank you for this thoughtful essay.
Thank you, Wynne. The events of the past several days pretty much wrote themselves.
It’s terrible.
“Name it to tame it.” Thank you, Wynne, for adding another arrow to my quiver.
I absolutely fit the current circumstances. Well, Alexis de Tocqueville noticed the following when he visited the United States in 1831: “On my arrival in the United States, I was surprised to find so much distinguished talent among the subjects, and so little among the heads of the government. It is a well-authenticated fact that, at the present day, the most able men in the United States are very rarely placed at the head of affairs.” So, we continue to struggle in this aspect. The Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff cautioned the leaders about this conflict, but of course they didn’t listen to his advice. There is a reason why none of the neighboring countries are getting involved in the conflict, except to pursue defensive measures. Maybe the kakistocracy should spend some time finding out why.
Thanks, Edward. Yes, de Tocqueville knew us better than we knew ourselves, even then. As to the last line, if they weren’t members of of the kakistocracy, they might be open to new learning and self-reflection. As to those who are members…
You’re very welcome, Dr. Stein. Indeed, there is a long history—thousands of years, really—of fighting in that part of the world over pretty much the same issues. War is not going to solve that problem.
Agreed, Edward. Thus we march back to the Crusades.
Yes, indeed.
Thank you, Gerald, for giving a name to the rot that is setting us back decades, morally and otherwise. As Wynne said above “Name it to tame it.” Here’s hoping that we people of goodwill continue to wake up, educate ourselves, connect, organize, speak out, and seize the reigns of power back from these selfish actors. Thanks and Peace.
Well said, Frank. To the good, the cleanup hitter on the team in first place is slumping. It is a long season.