Consequently, for thousands of years, uncountable coronations, revolutions, coups, appointments, elections, assassinations, and regime changes have occurred. Kings, prime ministers, princes, presidents, secretaries-general, and dictators have found themselves in and out of power. Unexpected changes have removed even powerful rulers. (See the box “Suddenly out of Power,” on page 5.) Still, competent and enduring leadership has proved elusive.

“We Must Make Do”​—Or Must We?

It is no wonder, therefore, that many have lost hope when it comes to finding good leadership. In some countries, the people’s feelings of apathy and hopelessness become especially evident at election time. Geoff Hill, a journalist in Africa, noted: “Apathy or abstention [from voting] holds sway when people feel powerless to change the misery of their lives. . . . In Africa, when people don’t vote, it doesn’t necessarily mean they are content. More often, it is a cry for help from those who feel that no one is listening.” Similarly, a newspaper columnist in the United States wrote regarding a pending election: “I wish a perfect candidate were running.” He added: “There’s no such being. There never is. We must make do.”

Who Is the Right Leader for Today?

In 1940, there was a leadership crisis in the British Parliament. Seventy-seven-year-old David Lloyd George, who listened to the debate, had led Britain to victory in World War I, and his many years in politics enabled him to evaluate keenly the work of high officials. In a speech to the House of Commons on May 8, he stated: “The nation is prepared for every sacrifice so long as it has leadership, so long as the Government show clearly what they are aiming at and so long as the nation is confident that those who are leading it are doing their best.”

THE words of Lloyd George make it clear that people expect their leaders to be competent and to make honest efforts to try to improve things. An election campaign worker put it this way: “When people cast a vote for president, they are casting a vote for someone in whom they are entrusting their lives, their future, their children.” Guarding such a trust is a monumental task. Why so?

Our world is beset with problems that defy solution. What leader, for example, has proved himself so wise and powerful that he can eradicate crime and war? Who among today’s leaders has the resources and compassion to provide every human with food, clean water, and health care? Who has the knowledge and determination to protect and restore the environment? Who is competent and powerful enough to ensure that all mankind enjoy a long and happy life?

Humans Cannot Do the Job

It is true that some leaders have achieved a measure of success. However, they can serve at most for a few decades​—and then who is next? One of the most competent leaders who ever lived, King Solomon of ancient Israel, pondered this question. He concluded: “I, even I, hated all my hard work at which I was working hard under the sun, that I would leave behind for the man who would come to be after me. And who is there knowing whether he will prove to be wise or foolish? Yet he will take control over all my hard work at which I worked hard and at which I showed wisdom under the sun. This too is vanity.”​—Ecclesiastes 2:18, 19.

Solomon did not know whether his successor would continue his good work or tear it all down. To Solomon, the cycle of replacing old rulers with new ones was “vanity.” Other Bible translations call this process “futile,” or “pointless.” One version says: “It doesn’t make sense.”

At times, violence is used to force a change in rulers. Capable leaders have been cut down as they were doing their work. Abraham Lincoln, a highly esteemed president of the United States, once told an audience: “I have been selected to fill an important office for a brief period, and am now, in your eyes, invested with an influence which will soon pass away.” His service was indeed brief. Despite all he did and his desire to do more for the people, President Lincoln led his country for only four years. At the start of his second term in office, he was murdered by a man who wanted a change in leadership.

Even the best human leaders cannot guarantee their own future. Should you, then, trust them to guarantee yours? The Bible says: “Do not put your trust in nobles, nor in the son of earthling man, to whom no salvation belongs. His spirit goes out, he goes back to his ground; in that day his thoughts do perish.” The Byington translation renders the last part of Ps 146 verse 4: “That day his goodwill is a total loss.”​—Psalm 146:3, 4.

[Box on page 5]

SUDDENLY OUT OF POWER

A ruler can usually count on the respect and support of his subjects if he brings them a reasonable measure of peace and secure living conditions. However, if people lose confidence in him for any reason, someone else may soon be sitting in the seat of power. Following are some examples of conditions that suddenly forced strong rulers out of power.

Bad living conditions. By the late 18th century, many French citizens were forced to live a life that was long on taxes and short on food. These conditions contributed to the French Revolution, which in 1793 sent King Louis XVI to the guillotine.

War. World War I put an end to the rule of some of the most powerful emperors in history. For example, in 1917 a war-induced food shortage in St. Petersburg, Russia, turned into the February Revolution. This revolt dethroned Czar Nicholas II and led to Communist rule. In November 1918, Germany wanted peace, but the Allies would not stop fighting until a change in rulership had been made. As a result, German Emperor Wilhelm II was forced into exile in the Netherlands.

Desire for different systems of government. In 1989 the Iron Curtain was removed. Regimes that seemed as hard as rock crumbled as their subjects rejected Communism and established different forms of rule.