Representative democracy endured in Europe because its political leaders' deviousness and self-advancement were balanced by altruism, fortitude and civic virtue. However, in this century, the reputation and calibre of politicians has slumped in country after country, as fads, image, process, triviality and spin are promoted over experience, prudence and long-term outcomes. National leadership roles are increasingly filled by inexperienced careerists, who are disconnected from the people on whose behalf they are supposed to rule. https: //thinkscotland.org/2023/07/insights-into-why-europe-ended-up-at-war-again-and-more/ https: //countrysquire.co.uk/2023/07/24/europes-leadership-famine/