Twits

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"If I were King for a day." 

You may have said, as I have, what you might do if you were king or queen for a day. We have an idea of what would make the world a better place. If only we could enact the idea...

Typically we would use the opportunity to ban some petty pet peeve. Such an act might, possibly, make the world a better place.

Frankly, if I were king for a day, I would screw things up. Not intentionally, mind you! But out of ignorance. Only ignorance could convince me that I should be king or act like one. Only delusion would lead me to think I knew better than everyone (anyone?) else. And if I were king for life, all hell might break loose. Same goes for you.

I've been reading about kings and queens in the Chronicles of Narnia. Yes, good policy can be enacted by royals. In fantasy novels, kings and queens can be depicted as having sound judgment, kind hearts, and good will for all. They do a great job of ruling. This is fiction.

In life, it doesn't go so well. Some countries, such as England, have figured this out. They maintain a tradition of monarchy but leave actual governing to a democratically elected government. Rule by an individual results in tyranny. Autocracy doesn't work.

A demagogue taps into popular opinions, desires, and prejudices. As long as he (it's usually a he) remains in tune with the populace, he can steer a nation toward a shared will, for better or, more often, for worse. But soon he becomes more and more removed from the people. He is protected from reality by a cluster of cronies. He hears no opposing positions, except those represented as some evil bogeyman. The sycophants increasingly confirm his opinions and protect him from others'. An already self-important twit is encouraged to think ever more highly of himself. His word becomes law. His law becomes tyranny.

Those swayed by the populist accept and even celebrate his tyranny—at least until they are caught in it. Eventually, they deny their support. But they have followed the leader: they too are twits.