Why a Smart Nation Becomes Foolish and Elects Bad Leaders: Psychological, Sociological, and Political Perspectives

Historically, societies have often made decisions considering their own interests and the general well-being of the community. However, some societies, even those initially equipped with high educational levels, developed economies, and strong social structures, tend to elect bad leaders and make wrong decisions. This paradoxical situation can be explained not only by psychological and sociological factors but also by political ones. In the decision-making processes of societies, short-term interests and emotional factors may take precedence over rational thinking and long-term goals.

1. Psychological Perspectives – Short-Term Thinking and the Culture of Fear
   Psychological Foundations of Short-Term Thinking
   Psychological research has shown that people often prefer short-term rewards. This is known as “mental short-termism” and is an important factor influencing societal decisions (Kahneman, 2011). When faced with uncertainty, individuals typically seek quick solutions, which leads to decisions that prioritize immediate gains over long-term planning. Similarly, societies may look for short-term solutions during times of crisis, which can gradually open the door to poor governance.
   Social Psychology and Group Dynamics
   Social psychology is the discipline that studies how individuals behave in groups, making decisions under societal pressures and norms. Societies may tend to make more emotional decisions under group psychology. This phenomenon can be influenced by societal pressures, the influence of leaders, and decisions shaped around social values (Cialdini, 2009). This can lead to the rise of less rational and more emotionally driven leaders.
   The Influence of the Culture of Fear
   Fear is one of the most effective ways to govern a society. When people are frightened, their emotional responses override rational thinking. Societies, particularly during times of crisis, may gravitate toward strong and authoritarian leaders. These leaders manipulate fear by using perceived threats to win public support (Zimbardo, 2007).
2. Media Manipulation and Propaganda
   The Power of Media and Societal Impact
   Media is one of the most powerful tools for shaping public perceptions. Particularly through television, the internet, and social media, the accessibility of information to the public is directly affected. Propaganda spread via the media can set the boundaries of societal thought and spread misinformation (Herman & Chomsky, 1988). The power of media can prevent societies from making rational decisions.
   Propaganda and Society
   Propaganda is often used to guide the public in totalitarian regimes. In this case, media becomes an ideological tool and is manipulated to steer the public in a specific direction. These media strategies make it difficult for the public to make rational decisions based on facts, often leading to the rise of populist leaders (Lippmann, 1922).
   Post-Truth Era and Fake News
   The concept of the “post-truth” era has gained popularity in recent years. In this era, people are more interested in information that reinforces their existing beliefs and tend to disregard opposing viewpoints. Social media exacerbates this issue by exposing individuals to content that aligns with their personal views (Menczer et al., 2018). This further undermines the decision-making process and facilitates the election of bad leaders.
3. The Education System and Societal Intelligence
   Education and the Mental Health of Society
   Education is one of the most fundamental factors that shape individual and societal decisions. However, the tendency of education systems to focus on rote learning rather than critical thinking inhibits the development of analytical decision-making skills. This leads to societies making less rational decisions (Freire, 1970). Education directly impacts both individual and collective intellectual health.
   Critical Thinking and Obedience
   Critical thinking enables individuals to shape their worldview in a questioning manner. However, the lack of emphasis on critical thinking in educational systems leads to societies becoming more obedient and conformist. This situation can result in the public supporting wrong leaders and making bad decisions (Illich, 1971).
   The Loss of the Culture of Inquiry
   The weakening of the culture of inquiry in education leads to societal decay. This hinders the development of a critical stance towards poor leadership and encourages collective intellectual deficiencies, making it difficult for societies to challenge bad leadership.
4. Loss of Collective Memory and Historical Mistakes
   Collective Memory and Historical Narratives
   Societies tend to repeat historical mistakes once they forget their past errors. This phenomenon, known as collective memory loss, means that the erasure of collective memory prevents societies from learning from past mistakes (Assmann, 2006). This can lead to the re-election of bad leaders.
   Repeated Mistakes
   The forgetting of past mistakes results in societies making the same errors over and over again. People may not remember past wrongs, and without that awareness, similar mistakes can be repeated, influencing societal decisions (Nora, 1989).
5. Identity Politics and Societal Division
   The Power of Identity Politics to Guide Societies
   Identity politics has become an increasingly prominent issue in modern democratic societies. These politics are often associated with ethnic, religious, sexual, and other group-based identities. The rise of identity politics causes societies to move away from a homogeneous structure and creates more pronounced divisions and conflicts between different groups. This process leads to greater polarization within societies and often results in the public making decisions based on these identity-driven conflicts (Taylor, 1994).
   Identity Politics and the Rise of Populism
   The prominence of identity politics creates a fertile ground for the rise of populist leaders. Populist leaders often divide society along identity lines, exploiting the fears and concerns of different groups for their own benefit. The combination of identity politics and populist rhetoric blurs the rational thinking of society and often opens the door to bad governance (Mudde, 2004). In this context, identity politics can serve as a tool to manipulate society and elect bad leaders.
   The Role of Social Media in Identity Politics
   Social media plays a critical role in the spread of identity-based movements. With the widespread use of communication tools, individuals tend to cluster around their identities and exclude opposing viewpoints. This can lead to societies electing leaders who only represent specific groups’ interests. This process disrupts social harmony and makes it difficult for societies to make rational decisions (Tufekci, 2017).
6. Economic Factors and the Selection of Leaders
   Economic Crises and the Emergence of Bad Governance
   Economic crises deeply affect the decision-making processes of societies. During times of crisis, the public seeks more radical and immediate solutions. These periods often create ideal conditions for the rise of populist leaders. Economic uncertainties and hardships prompt societies to look for simpler, often irrational solutions. This can direct societies toward electing the wrong leaders (Bremmer, 2018).
   Social Injustice and Public Response
   Social injustice can lead to large inequalities within a society, causing public discontent. This dissatisfaction often results in the support of bad leaders, as populist leaders typically use calls for justice and equality to influence the public. Economic inequality leads to poor decisions and the election of bad leaders (Piketty, 2014).
   The Societal Impact of Neoliberal Policies
   The spread of neoliberal policies has caused significant income inequality and social injustice. This inequality prompts the public to make poor decisions and elect bad leaders. The economic structures introduced by neoliberalism often lead to societies being governed by worse leaders (Harvey, 2005).
7. Political Instability and the Irresponsibility of Leaders
   Crisis of Democracy and Political Instability
   Democratic systems are based on the freedom of the public to elect their leaders, but these systems can become corrupt over time. Democracy requires strong checks and balances, but when these mechanisms weaken, bad leaders can rise to power. Political instability often leads to the public making poor decisions in the short term (Diamond, 2019).
   The Collapse of Political Parties and Populism
   Political parties are typically formed to address societal issues, but over time they may stop acting according to the needs of the people and instead prioritize their own interests. This shift can facilitate the rise of populism and authoritarian leadership. The weakening of political parties makes it easier for bad leaders to emerge (Mudde & Kaltwasser, 2017).
   Election Processes and Manipulation
   When election processes are not transparent, societies may end up electing bad leaders. Manipulations of elections, especially during election periods, are often enhanced by the media and social media. This makes it difficult for the public to vote freely and accurately, leading to the rise of bad leadership (Levitsky & Way, 2010).

Conclusion

There are numerous psychological, sociological, and political reasons why societies, despite being smart and advanced at first, tend to elect bad leaders and make wrong decisions. Factors like short-term thinking, media manipulation, deficiencies in the education system, identity politics, economic crises, and political instability can weaken the public’s rational decision-making abilities and lead to the rise of bad leaders. Understanding these dynamics is critical for making healthier and more rational societal decisions in the future. Strengthening education systems, ensuring media transparency, and enhancing political systems’ oversight mechanisms are essential for societies to make wiser decisions.

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