Can Politicians Act Selflessly for the Greater Good?

  • News
  • Thread starter Alesak
  • Start date
In summary, the conversation discusses the concept of politicians acting in the interest of a wider group of people beyond their current constituency, potentially causing harm to themselves. This could include limiting the power of special interest groups, taxing the wealthy, or voluntarily abandoning a dictatorship. Examples of such behavior include Jimmy Carter, Nikita Khrushchev, Mikhail Gorbachev, Lee Kuan Yew, and Jigme Singye Wangchuck. The conversation also touches on the idea that these types of politicians may have good intentions but lack the skills to effectively govern.
  • #1
Alesak
111
0
By this I mean politician voluntarily acting in interest of wider group of people than current constituency, possibly for political self-harm. Constituency is group of people having say in who's going to be the next leader or how long is current leader going to last. Different members of constituency have obviously different power.

Example of such behaviour would be if current US president limited power of AIPAC or oil industry or any of bazzilion special interest group - even if it meant negative consequences for him. Or taxed rich people more, significantly reduced defense budget etc...

Another examples would be voluntarily abandoning dictatorship.


My examples would be:
Jimmy Carter
Nikita Kruschev
Mikchail Gorbachev
Lee Kwan Yew
Jigme Singye Wangchuck
 
Physics news on Phys.org
  • #2
Jimmy Carter?

That's exactly the point. Those kinds of politicians may genuinely mean well but lack the ability to manage the country competently.
 
  • #3
Re-opening of a closed thread.
 

FAQ: Can Politicians Act Selflessly for the Greater Good?

How can self-less politicians be identified?

Self-less politicians can be identified by their actions and priorities. They are more focused on serving the greater good and the needs of their constituents rather than personal gain or self-promotion.

Are there any successful examples of self-less politicians?

Yes, there are numerous successful examples of self-less politicians throughout history. Mahatma Gandhi, Nelson Mandela, and Abraham Lincoln are just a few examples of leaders who put the needs of others above their own.

Is it possible for a politician to be completely self-less?

While it may be difficult for a politician to completely eliminate all self-interest, it is possible for them to prioritize the needs of their constituents and make decisions based on what is best for the community rather than personal gain.

How can we encourage politicians to be more self-less?

One way to encourage self-less behavior in politicians is to hold them accountable for their actions and prioritize ethical leadership. Additionally, educating voters on the importance of self-less politicians and actively supporting and electing those who demonstrate self-less qualities can also make a difference.

What impact do self-less politicians have on society?

Self-less politicians have a positive impact on society by promoting fairness, equality, and the well-being of the community as a whole. They are also more likely to make decisions that benefit the long-term interests of society rather than short-term gains.

Similar threads

News Should the US intervene in world problems?
Replies
29
Views
10K
News Patriot Act 2: Summarized by Alex Jones
Replies
10
Views
3K
News Russia's Return to Totalitarianism
Replies
2
Views
8K
ECONOMICS: It's stupid to be afraid (Lee Kuan Yew to Der Spiegel)
Replies
6
Views
4K
News Can Socialism Provide a Stable Political Framework?
4
Replies
117
Views
14K
News Obama Inaugural Address: Summary & Analysis
Replies
33
Views
5K

Hot Threads

Recent Insights

Back
Top