Paradigm failure

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In which the curmudgeonly old sod puts the world to rights.
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Something one should understand about power structures and other paradigms is that they collapse not because they are degenerating, but because a better power structure has become available. This is where the theoretical appeal of Karl Popper’s Falsificationism hit the buffers of real-life behavioral psychology, and why Thomas Kuhn’s account of scientific revolutions is more nuanced.

So, those who would cast a poor political leader out, first find a robust and plausible alternative — ideally a group — that can shift the axis of the debate and provide a preferable alternative (it is not about doing a better job, but re-framing the debate altogether).

On the other hand, as a defensive strategy incumbents should surround themselves with people who can exercise on the plan but do not have the gumption or charisma to re-frame the narrative, and who cannot therefore present a plausible alternative.

Politicians who have successfully re-framed the narrative to suit themselves (for better or worse): Margaret Thatcher. Tony Blair and Gordon Brown; Donald Trump.

Employers: remember, the reason employees stay is the same reason: because no-one has made a better offer.


See also