Angry old men lead the world with force and violence

Liberal democracies possess numerous, albeit sometimes leaky, filters to prevent evil and destructive politics. However, the essay argues that politicians and citizens alike must periodically look inward and assess whether their own destructive impulses are under control.

Humanity's capacity for violence is starkly illustrated by the fact that, excluding wars, individuals kill approximately 1.5 million of their fellow humans annually. History is a testament to this cruelty, marked by instances of slavery, racism, world wars, and genocide. The ongoing events in Ukraine, Gaza, and Iran serve as a grim reminder that violence and war continue to be deeply embedded in political discourse and action.

Despite the persistent presence of violence in politics, the essay concludes that such approaches are ultimately doomed to collide with their own destructiveness and futility. The path of war and violence, while seemingly a tool of power, inevitably leads to ruin and achieves no lasting positive outcome.