Comments on: Leadership Qualifications in a Democracy http://weblawg.costinmedia.com/wp/legal-explorations/leadership-qualifications-in-a-democracy/ Costin on IP, IT, Media, and Business Law Tue, 29 Dec 2009 06:46:22 -0800 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.6 hourly 1 By: Seva http://weblawg.costinmedia.com/wp/legal-explorations/leadership-qualifications-in-a-democracy/comment-page-1/#comment-1005 Seva Tue, 14 Oct 2008 14:44:41 +0000 http://weblawg.costinmedia.com/wp/?p=95#comment-1005 Excellent post, although I feel inclined to add another essential aspect of leadership. The ivory qualities you described are necessary in an effective democratic leader, but they must be backstopped by the ability to reconcile their ivory tower concepts with the lowest common denominator feelings and desires of their constituents who, alas, are for the most part quite different from you. Moreover, being understanding and compassionate of these plebeian wishes is not enough. Since they are the wishes of the constituents who these politicians ultimately represent, they must be willing to act on these wishes - remaining of course within the bounds of laws that restrain the exercise of majority rule. That's why I feel that the simple label of elitism does not tell the whole story when it comes to politics, and why Stephane Dione, although unmistakeably smart, is too far removed from his lowest common denominator voters to be an effective leader. Alas, if only they chose Rae or at least Ignatieff. Excellent post, although I feel inclined to add another essential aspect of leadership. The ivory qualities you described are necessary in an effective democratic leader, but they must be backstopped by the ability to reconcile their ivory tower concepts with the lowest common denominator feelings and desires of their constituents who, alas, are for the most part quite different from you.

Moreover, being understanding and compassionate of these plebeian wishes is not enough. Since they are the wishes of the constituents who these politicians ultimately represent, they must be willing to act on these wishes – remaining of course within the bounds of laws that restrain the exercise of majority rule.

That’s why I feel that the simple label of elitism does not tell the whole story when it comes to politics, and why Stephane Dione, although unmistakeably smart, is too far removed from his lowest common denominator voters to be an effective leader. Alas, if only they chose Rae or at least Ignatieff.

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