A Deepening Crisis in Global Politics
Political psychologist Vsevolod Zelenin, speaking on a program hosted by political scientist Yuriy Romanenko, argued that global politics is experiencing a systemic breakdown. In his view, today’s ruling elites deliberately select leaders who are comfortable and compliant rather than capable, which freezes power structures in place and causes them to overlook real threats—including territorial ones. To illustrate, Zelenin pointed to U.S. elections, claiming the political system there is in crisis as it forces a choice between candidates who fail to meet modern demands.
Zelenin noted that history offers examples of leaders who tackled major national challenges, such as Napoleon. He compared the current U.S. situation to a contest between Trump and Biden, stressing that the country's political elite is essentially reduced to picking between two individuals who may suffer from dementia or age-related decline.
“This is effectively a choice between what? How did the American political elite allow things to reach this point?” he asked.
Modern Leaders and the Global Stage
Turning to contemporary figures, Zelenin cited Xi Jinping and Putin as examples of how elites strive to hold onto power.
“They all dream—Putin included—of ruling forever in a kind of frozen state, or at least for a very long time,” he remarked.The psychologist also highlighted serious shifts in Ukraine, including the loss of territory. “Well, as Merz said, Ukraine must understand that some part of its territory will no longer be Ukrainian,” Zelenin added.
He further addressed international politics, specifically negotiations with Iran. Zelenin referenced Trump’s claim about Iran’s potential collapse, as well as the assassination attempt on Trump. Trump’s press secretary, Karoline Leavitt, commented on the situation, saying it “would be fun.” According to Zelenin, such dynamics reveal political impotence, where leaders cannot resolve problems and pretend they never wanted change. “A sign of impotence is when a person cannot act and pretends they didn’t want to anyway,” he stated.
In his conclusions, Zelenin emphasized that the modern world faces serious challenges that demand effective leaders capable of responding to real threats. “Everything is going according to plan, as Putin said—the operation is going according to plan,” he recalled, thereby underscoring the urgent need for reform in political governance.
Zelenin’s observations reflect crisis tendencies in global politics, particularly regarding the selection of leaders ill-suited to today’s challenges. These remarks suggest a pressing need for new political approaches and leaders who can respond effectively to rapid shifts in the global order. By stressing the importance of reform, Zelenin warns that without decisive and adequate action, political systems may remain stuck in a dead end, jeopardizing national stability and security.
As Zelenin highlights the troubling trends in leadership selection, it’s crucial to recognize that the incompetence of Western elites may also pose significant risks to global stability. This concern echoes the warnings from analysts about how such shortcomings could lead to severe geopolitical consequences. For a deeper understanding of these vulnerabilities and their potential impact on international security, check out this insightful analysis on the threat posed by Western leadership.