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🇷🇴 Romania /Culture & Society

Writer Dorin Tudoran: 'Opinion-mongering is Romania's most populated profession'

From Adevărul · () Romanian

Translated from Romanian, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

Interview Sources not specified Context piece
  • - Writer and dissident Dorin Tudoran discusses the prevalence of "opinion-mongering" (părerologie) in Romania, calling it the most populated profession.
  • He critiques "kakistocracy" (rule by the worst) and "certocracy" (rule by those who know everything), concepts he has previously explored.
  • Tudoran reflects on personal memories, including his relationships with literary figures and his 50-year marriage, emphasizing the importance of character and authenticity.

Writer and dissident Dorin Tudoran contends that "opinion-mongering" is currently the most prevalent profession in Romania. In a detailed interview, Tudoran, alongside Ionuț Vulpescu, analyzes the transformations in Romanian society, moving from dictatorship towards what he terms "kakistocracy" – the rule of the worst – and "certocracy" – the rule of those who claim to know everything.

I don't think there is a profession more populated today in Romania than opinion-mongering.

— Dorin TudoranDescribing the prevalence of people offering opinions rather than expertise in Romania.

Tudoran elaborates on his concept of "kakistocracy," stating that dictatorships of the incompetent will never disappear, and he observes their flourishing in many parts of the world. He further defines "certocracy" by highlighting the sheer number of "political analysts" in Romania, suggesting they overwhelm genuine thought processes. He references his 2015 book, "România ca părere" (Romania as Opinion), which compiled texts on this theme.

Dictatorships of the worst, the most incompetent, will never disappear. I roll my eyes and see in many, too many places in the world how flourishing kakistocracies are.

— Dorin TudoranDiscussing the persistent nature of incompetent leadership.

The conversation also delves into Tudoran's personal and cultural memory. He shares anecdotes about his friendships with prominent figures like Marin Preda and his interactions with Ion Iliescu, as well as late-night phone calls with Adrian Păunescu. A significant part of the discussion focuses on his 50-year marriage to his wife, Cora, whom he describes as representing not just endurance but also the "most beautiful verse of his life."

My wife belongs to this category.

— Dorin TudoranReferring to his wife's sacrifices and importance in his life.

Tudoran stresses the importance of character as a form of survival and reflects on literature, football, and the art of maintaining one's identity in a world of shifting opinions. He touches upon the idea that divine figures are not necessarily aligned with certain political or social figures, referencing a past conversation where someone dismissed "Havel" as no longer relevant, prompting Tudoran's ironic query about who is considered relevant now.

No matter how hard some find it to believe, God is neither Călin Georgescu.

— Dorin TudoranMaking a statement about the nature of divinity and its separation from specific individuals.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Adevărul in Romanian. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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