How we arrived at a system collapse where no one knows 'who's drinking and who's paying'

By Dr. sc. Enver Išerić

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How and why have we arrived at a situation where the people have such little respect for their elected representatives, despise them (with honorable exceptions recognized and valued by most citizens) and publicly insult them in the media, call them derogatory names, and even insult and belittle their family members, while at the same time the citizens fear their government to such an extent that any critical thinking about events in the country and society, in the company where they work, or in any public institution or state authority body is absent.

Is it possible that we have all, or most of us, become accustomed to being puppets on a string, held by someone else who pulls it and thus directs our movements and behavior?

The directions are so forced, continuous, and dangerous that for many exceptionally educated, smart, intelligent, hardworking people, who also immensely love their homeland, they have dulled any will to work, and any resistance to the negative and illegal actions and behavior of individuals and groups. And "positional intelligence" – intelligence derived from the title of the position individuals hold, with no basis or origin in the quality education of those individuals – is becoming prevalent and, by force and threat, suppresses the real knowledge and expertise possessed by the "subordinates" of such leaders of bodies and institutions.

This is an extremely widespread phenomenon, evident in the current way bodies and public institutions function, and this conclusion is confirmed by the statements of a very large number of individuals who perform various jobs in different fields and different bodies.

Such a situation leads to a very low level of initiative, efficiency, and legality in the work of public authorities. Instead of rewarding initiative, efficiency, and legality in performing tasks, loyalty to people, laziness, incompetence, and unquestioning execution of tasks are rewarded, even when they are contrary to the law, thus leading to a complete collapse of the system where no one knows "who's drinking and who's paying."

These phenomena occur due to a very poor personnel policy, whereby extremely irresponsible and incompetent individuals are appointed to extremely responsible positions. They lack basic knowledge about the organization and functioning of the state and its bodies, and furthermore, the leadership skills required for such positions are almost non-existent.

When, at the beginning of performing these responsible positions, assigned without any criteria, they distance themselves from their subordinates due to their ignorance and insecurity, and try, and largely succeed with most subordinates, to build an authority through their grumpiness and raised voice that must be obeyed without question and without asking any additional questions when tasks are assigned, it is especially undesirable to warn such authorities that an order is contrary to the law.

Once they have succeeded in establishing such a system of "rule" and leadership, the additional pressure in their heads is the power they wield with almost no control from anyone, regardless of whether it is an individual or a collective body that should perform that control, and thus complete self-control is lost and the system collapses.

Their subordinates shrug their shoulders and maintain their bodies and minds in a somewhat normal state daily by taking sedatives and relaxants.
Communication and expressing one's opinion are possible through social networks, where we can find very offensive and inappropriate content for holders of the highest state positions, through which certain individuals vent their anger at the situation we are in, for which we are all, some more and some less, to blame, while at the same time wanting to show the "bravery" they possess.

In fact, it is "keyboard" bravery and cowardice in the heart.

Therefore, we are acting completely contrary. We must and should respect our elected representatives, as both divine and human laws dictate, and the greatest bravery (if we want to be brave) is to tell the "ruler" the truth to their face and advocate for justice, which is more precious than all treasures.

In such easily acquired positions, their passion for power flares up and becomes increasingly dangerous for everyone around them or for whom they assess or receive a signal, or a sign from someone, that they might threaten their position. Such individuals who lose their compass and the need to establish any functioning system and order, even lose their sense of patriotism, if they possessed it, because a true patriot would never take on a job for which they have no knowledge and are unfamiliar with the situation in that area.

Therefore, while we wait for the personnel selection method to change, let's do something for our homeland and for all of us, let's do our jobs responsibly and legally, and let's overcome the fear of being held accountable for such behavior. Let's respect our elected representatives and not hesitate to tell them the truth to their face. In this way, we will help them, ourselves, others, all of us, and our homeland, Bosnia and Herzegovina.