Negative selection in politics refers to a process where leaders, especially in rigid hierarchies like dictatorships, intentionally choose incompetent subordinates to ensure their power remains unchallenged. This leads to a hierarchy filled increasingly with less competent individuals. If these leaders feel threatened, they purge those perceived as threats.
Over time, this results in a highly ineffective organizational structure, continuing until the leader is removed or dies, leaving behind a weak and dysfunctional system.
The deliberate choice of incompetent subordinates to secure power.
Progressive decline in organizational effectiveness.
Ancient anecdote where Thrasybulus advised Periander to preemptively remove potential challengers by demonstrating by cutting the tallest wheat stalks.
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