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Single Idea 20089

[catalogued under 24. Political Theory / C. Ruling a State / 2. Leaders / d. Elites]

Full Idea

Efficiency does not automatically generate legitimacy, and faith in the technocrat melts away as soon as spending cuts are implemented.

Gist of Idea

Technocrats may be efficient, but they lose legitimacy as soon as they do unpopular things

Source

David van Reybrouck (Against Elections [2013], 2 'democracy')

A Reaction

They can hang on to legitimacy if they can come up with some technical mumbo-jumbo like 'monetarism' which the people will swallow.

Book Reference

Reybrouck,David van: 'Against Elections', ed/tr. Waters,Liz [Bodley Head 2016], p.23