Some monarchs, Presidents and Prime Ministers have been dangerously incompetent. President James Buchanan, 1857-1861, lacked the skills to govern in the national interest as Civil War loomed. Tsar Nicholas II of Russia blundered into World War 1 making a series of very ill advised decisions which proved disastrous for his nation and the ruling class. Others leaders, including Robert Mugabe, Caligula and Idi “The Butcher” Amin of Uganda were unfit to govern, but were downright malevolent and violent as well as incompetent. It was not always possible to repair the damage inflicted by the incompetent leaders for decades after their administration ended.
- Kennedy, Paul, The Rise and Fall of the Great Powers, 1989, Harper Collins, ISBN 0006860524
- Coulter, Paul, 10 Mistakes That Changed History, The Reckless Rulers and Monumental Mishaps That Have Shaped Our World, 2025, Bantam, ISBN 0857507249
- Parker, Frederick, Failures of Leadership, History’s Worst Leaders, Five Minute Books, 2013. ASIN BOOBSQQ26 G
- Incompetent and Dangerous Kings, including Louis XVI, Charles VI, Tsar Nicholas II, John of England and Henry VI.
- Dangerous Presidents and PMs including Robert Mugabe, Idi Amin, James Buchanan and Boris Johnson
- Incompetent women leaders including Liz Truss and Theresa May, PMs of the UK and Isobel Peron of Argentina
- Non royal and unelected lethal leaders including Dr Sidney Gottlieb Chief of the CIA’s MK Ultra Program.
By the end of the course, students should be able to:
- Appreciate the difference between competent and incompetent government and the factors which influence both.
- Discuss the factors which allow incompetence and malevolence in government to thrive unchecked until the damage is so obvious
- Consider the extent of the damage inflicted by the incompetent leaders and the amount of time involved in restoring order and sound government
