A Good And Honest Politician Is An Oxymoron

By Sumit Paul, New Age Islam 13 September 2025 Politics and politicians get my goat and seeing the worldwide unrest and agitation in countries like France and Nepal against the political leaders and systems, I find H L Mencken's insights into politics and politicians true to a T. By the way, the witty American writer and satirist H L Mencken was born on September 12, 1880. H L Mencken not only criticised politics, he also had a deep disdain for organised religion. He was known for his scathing critiques of religious institutions, particularly Christianity. Mencken considered religion a form of superstition and often ridiculed religious beliefs in his writings, which earned him criticism and controversy. But here, I'll restrict myself to quoting only a few popular political aperçus of H L Mencken: Democracy is the art and science of running the circus from the monkey cage. H.L. Mencken's quote brilliantly captures the essence of democracy by cleverly comparing it to a circus run from the monkey cage. In this analogy, the monkey cage represents the masses or general public, while the circus symbolizes the political arena. Mencken suggests that democracy is an intricate combination of art and science, involving both creativity and logical reasoning. The quote implies that the people, like monkeys, are entrusted with the power to govern and make decisions. However, it also suggests that democracy can be chaotic, unpredictable, and even absurd at times, mirroring the lively and hectic atmosphere of a circus. Mencken's quote reminds us that democracy, while imperfect, can be both entertaining and perplexing in its quest for order and progress. Mencken must have observed the Indian political jamboree from close quarters! In India, politics is no less than a never-ending Tamasha (charade). The whole aim of practical politics is to keep the populace alarmed (and hence clamorous to be led to safety) by menacing it with an endless series of hobgoblins, all of them imaginary. H.L. Mencken's quote encompasses the essence of practical politics, highlighting a rather cynical aspect of it. According to Mencken, the primary objective of practical politics is not to address the genuine concerns of the populace but to constantly keep them in a state of alarm and fear. By presenting a never-ending array of imaginary threats, politicians aim to manipulate the masses into eagerly clamouring for a figure to lead them to safety. Mencken's quote sheds light on the manipulative tactics employed by those in power, showcasing their ability to exploit the fears and anxieties of the people for their own gain. Thus, it encourages us to be critical thinkers and to question the authenticity of the threats presented to us in the political arena. In many states of India, esp. in Assam, Muslims (particularly imaginary Bangladeshi Muslims) are being projected as potential threats to the 'people' of India by the political leaders of the current political dispensation. The same is happening in West Bengal and Bihar. The latter will soon hold elections. In today's India, Muslims are metaphors for socio-political hatred and fodders for electoral polarisation. The urge to save humanity is almost always a false front for the urge to rule. H.L. Mencken's quote "The urge to save humanity is almost always a false front for the urge to rule" conveys a thought-provoking perspective on altruism and power dynamics. Within this succinct statement, Mencken suggests that those who claim to have a noble intention to save or protect humanity often harbour ulterior motives rooted in a desire for dominance and control. This quote highlights the potential manipulation that can hide behind seemingly virtuous actions, reminding us to critically examine the intentions of those who claim to work toward the greater good. It encourages us to question the underlying agendas of those who position themselves as saviours, urging us to be vigilant in our evaluation of their true motivations because to quote a Misra from an Urdu couplet, "Faqat Sabz-Baagh Dikhana Aata Hai Arbaab-E-Siyasat Ko" (Leading you up the garden path is the only art politicians are adept at). Bihar and wherever the voters are going to the polls must know that saccharine-sweet political slogans and soul-gladdening assurances given by the shrewd politicians are often weasel words. They must apply their brains to distinguish between good and bad; genuine and inauthentic. But the question remains: Do the masses have brains and the ability to discern? A good politician is quite as unthinkable as an honest burglar. H.L. Mencken's quote presents a cynical but apt view on the nature of politics and politicians. In this statement, Mencken suggests that finding a politician who is genuinely good and virtuous is just as improbable as stumbling upon an honest burglar. He highlights the widespread perception that politicians are typically driven by self-interest rather than a sincere desire to serve the public. Mencken's words serve as a critique of the corrupting influence of power and the moral ambiguities often associated with those in political positions. By comparing politicians to burglars, he reveals the deep-rooted skepticism and disillusionment many harbour towards the political system and those who operate within it. There's no gainsaying the fact that there were good politicians and political leaders across the world such as M K Gandhi, Dr Nelson Mandela, Lal Bahadur Shastri, among others but at the moment, you don't find a single good and honest politician anywhere in the world. Today, a good and honest politician is an oxymoron like a happily married person; you're either happy or married. You cannot eat the cake and have it too! ----- A regular columnist for New Age Islam, Sumit Paul is a researcher in comparative religions, with special reference to Islam. He has contributed articles to the world's premier publications in several languages including Persian. URL: https://www.newageislam.com/spiritual-meditations/honest-politician-oxymoron/d/136824 New Age Islam, Islam Online, Islamic Website, African Muslim News, Arab World News, South Asia News, Indian Muslim News, World Muslim News, Women in Islam, Islamic Feminism, Arab Women, Women In Arab, Islamophobia in America, Muslim Women in West, Islam Women and Feminism