These days, perhaps ever, does anyone use the words “healthy and balanced” in the same sentence as “governance”? Sadly, the answer is no. Based on those who seek roles of governance, typically the highest political office, are all too often troubled and insecure, jealous, envious human beings who are vying for power and ready to do almost anything to attain it. It does not bode well for the rest of us.

We note from the beginning that there are brilliant exceptions to this across the planet, and to them we are deeply grateful.

The purpose of this article is to articulate what could constitute good, healthy, and balanced governance.

One might think that this subject would consider matters such as political systems, such as Democracy versus Communism or Socialism or even monarchy. This would be a standard way of discussing the pros and cons of differing political systems.

But that doesn’t really address the underlying issue we face because any system can be corrupted if the people in office are corrupt.

Healthy, balanced governance comes from healthy, balanced people. We have to plumb to the bottom of the nature and character of those governing. The outer form of governance is subordinate to the character of the people governing.

What we have found is that when the values and character of political leaders is intact, in integrity, real leadership ensues. Because they are not subject to being corrupted, they earn the respect of the people. Their lives unfortunately tend to be more in jeopardy such as we have witnessed with Presidents Lincoln, Garfield, and Kennedy.

Integrity is respected by the People and scorned by politicians who prefer the bribe-friendly, corrupt system of “business-as-usual” through which they prosper at the People’s expense.

Lao-tse had it right 2,500 years ago

2,500 years ago, the Chinese philosopher-poet Lao-Tse knew this and spoke of it. He knew that the real leader “leads from behind”, not brandishing his bravado from in front, but humbly serving the People.

Lao-Tse knew that leadership is not about the leader, but about the People he committed to serve.

The one who rules like the mother lasts long.

He offered many adages about the nature of wise, prudent, humble governance, just the opposite of the egoic hubris and murderous war-mongering we see today.

Good leaders reach solutions, and then stop. They do not dare to rely on force.

(Tao Teh Ching, 30)

If princes and kings could follow the Tao, all things would by themselves abide, Heaven and Earth would unite and sweet dew would fall.

People would by themselves find harmony, without being commanded.

(Tao Teh Ching, 32)

Cultivate virtue in the town, and it will be lasting.

Cultivate virtue in the country, and it will be abundant.

Cultivate virtue in the world, and it will be universal.

(Tao Teh Ching, 54)

When we unpack these verses, an attitude of respect for the people and their virtue is revealed as the way governance is best realized. When trust prevails in a town, in a community, good choices for the benefit of all also prevail.

Challenges to intelligent, wise leadership are often subconscious

As a culture and society, we tend to define strength as physical strength, not emotional, mental, or spiritual. This purview has plunged many into “physical trouble” with those around us locally via violence. If emotional and spiritual intelligence were prioritized, if wisdom were more highly valued, the last thing we’d do is go to war, inwardly or outwardly.

We’ve been programmed from an early age to see physical prowess as the means to navigate our way in the world. Even as children in the schoolyard, we’ve all seen the bully intimidate others through brute strength. The “smart boy” is usually the target of the abuse, when it should be he who conducts a peace-making conversation! In short, we have so much upside-down in our society. So it takes effort to reflect and recognize this, then to make the inner efforts to turn it around.

A shift in this regard, to establish sage wisdom and spiritual intelligence in our society, the tendency to violence and war would be greatly diminished. An article I wrote1 and several others refer to this perspective.

It is up to us to establish a consensus around a culture of peace. This doesn’t mean that we agree on everything—it means that we do not resort to violence due to disagreements but will listen and talk through issues and challenges before us.

We are also challenged by the frequent primacy of our amygdala and reptilian brain, which quickly, reactively, take the place of the higher brain. This is initially about survival, but when we realize that we’re not being chased down a city street by a saber-toothed tiger, we can come to balance and think with our other brains and minds to make good governance and human decisions.

Background listening

One of the challenges those in leadership positions face, both in government and in business, is the backdrop, the unspoken agreements, or, as Werner Erhard used to call it, “the background listening” through which assumptions govern behavior.

In most cases, in the U.S. as much as in developing countries, bribery is not only permissible but is effectively a way of life. It is the way business is conducted. In the U.S., it is slightly more hidden, overtly frowned upon, while covertly routinely practiced. It is veiled and called by different names, but the essence is the same: pay to play.

Nepotism is one of the several expressions of this practice.

Leadership requires an inner will and commitment to serve the People through which, in fact, one’s own self is served. It is a truly selfless role to play in society, and as a result, these days, few qualify. It changes the conversation of who a leader in politics is.

From a profession whose reputation has been sullied for a long time, with selfless service, this reputation can be rehabilitated. It is not beyond repair with people who qualify.

If one can stand firm like an oak when the winds are blowing against one, then one will likely have the strength to withstand the strong winds of current, unconscious consensus.

One can easily be criticized, let alone ostracized, and in some ways, be considered “a turncoat”. Such is the strength of self-interest and the unspoken agreement that this is the way business and government have always been conducted and should continue to be.

When one is firm enough to stand up to these headwinds, they find themselves favored by The People—it is seen, it becomes visible, and deeply appreciated. It does happen, thankfully, but it is just too rare. Leadership can emerge from the ashes!

Acts of courage have been recently portrayed in two political polar Congressional representatives. Marjorie Taylor Green has stood up to Trump in respect to several matters, including the issues around the release of the Epstein Files. And Alexandra Ocasio-Cortez has refused to vote for any funding to Israel due to its continuing war crimes in Gaza, now Iran, and Lebanon. These two are going against the powerful flow of consensus.

Archetype of the humble, selfless leader: Gandhi

There was an archetype of a compassionate king throughout regions of India in the far past, so mythologist Joseph Campbell spoke of his Masks of God series. The king was not dedicated to his own wealth and self-aggrandizement but dedicated to service to the People and improving their lives. Thus, we have historical antecedents to this kind of leadership. As said before, examples exist, but these days they seem to be the exception, not the rule.

A brilliant example of true service in leadership was Mahatma Gandhi. Unlike the garb, embellishment, riches, and fanfare associated with political status, Gandhi wore simple garments and lived in a traditional, modest Indian home. He didn’t seek fame or fortune.

He sought benefit on behalf of the people who were downtrodden if not outrightly enslaved by the wealthy elite. Every aspect of his being was in service to the Indian people.

Contrast this with the leadership we see today in the United States and in too many places across the world. Democracy is in complete jeopardy. The inalienable right to free speech has been laid waste to.

This past year has been the worst for journalists we have seen historically, with over 129 killed2 in the line of duty, wearing colorful Press jackets, but nothing made a difference.

The pathology of current leadership

With exceptions for sure, there are altogether too many presidents and prime ministers of wealthy, developed countries with altogether too much power yet without the competence to govern. There is an assumption that they know how to because, after all, they were elected. But that is pure assumption, speculation, and conjecture. We hope they know what to do and how to manage the many moving parts of today’s governmental structures. Of course, they bring on others to assist in Cabinet-level positions. But they are typically all part of the same old boys’ club, and few can vouch for the competence of any of them.

The Peter Principle3 is at play. The higher the promotion, the less competence in the new position.

Part of that is deficient experience in the field. Experience can be gained. But a lack of steadiness of mind or integrity of character is at base.

The President of the U.S. is a convicted felon and is currently responsible for a massive amount of deaths—and genocide—around the world, along with his complicit companion in Israel.

Whatever they say about others honing in on their territory, it is exactly the opposite that is taking place. They have each violated domestic and international laws as though they don’t exist. They have made a mockery of the rule of law altogether, and the rules of military engagement established after the horrors, ironically, of the Holocaust.

What they have accused others of, they are guilty of themselves.

In the case of the current U.S. President, his wish to distract and detract from the insinuations and seemingly hard data of his complicity with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, with wars against others and Americans themselves, is as obvious as day.

Distraction techniques in this Administration and others are constant and ubiquitous.

This phenomenon was clearly articulated in the film Wag the Dog starring Dustin Hoffman, through which the phenomenon of presidents going to war to hide their own wrongdoings is a sick “truc” we all see right through.

Oil is at the bottom of the barrel of the geopolitical chess game

It should be obvious to one and all that political decisions are made by “where is the oil”? Then a story follows about our national security being threatened, the heads of State are narco-terrorists, or another favorite is our helping hand for Democracy to grow in another country.

But of course! Spend billions and more fighting foreign wars while 20 million of our own American children go to bed every night hungry, healthcare is so expensive, and homelessness is a major problem across the country. Most all see through the lies.

This outlines the character development that is the exact opposite of what is needed to govern.

Spread sage wisdom across the land

Ancient wisdom and modern psychology both recognize that those who need to resort to violence and war are really revealing their own weakness of character, despite what the perpetrators may think of themselves. Deep inside, they know.

The essence of Christianity, Judaism, Islam, Buddhist and Taoist traditions, Zoroastrianism, Sikkhism, Hinduism all have love at their base, love of God, love of others, love of Self. Yet the wisdom of each is largely discarded when it comes to actual implementation in politics and business. We aim to turn this around.

The weak man resorts to violence, the strong know how to use the God-given gift of language, communication, and peaceful diplomacy.

Occam’s razor obtains

Yes, the answer can be simple if not simple to execute. But if there is a clear vision of people being true to themselves, respectful of others, and of their land. No more invasions of sovereign lands, but we can all be cooperating toward peace-making and enjoying life with shared prosperity. Another level is that there are no more artificial boundaries at all, just bio-regions, but that's for another article!

If governance consisted of a Council of which there is a selfless head, and decisions are always made on behalf of the good of the people, not self-interest in itself, such a system can work. 4-year terms, no incumbents, citizen legislators, and go back home.

The U.S. Congress and the three branches of government may look good on paper, but in practice are too corruptible, as we see right now and in the past.

A selfless, benevolent leader, with the wise counsel of others, can truly lead us forward.

Enlightened self-interest

Self-interest is natural and in itself isn’t a problem, but if it is prioritized over others’ peace, health, and well-being, it is an enormous problem. Enlightened self-interest, however, is a different matter. This is an evolved state of self-interest. It is distinguished by the fact that its satisfaction needs others’ health, peace, and well-being to be realized first.

This principle is found in Buddhist Psychology in the form of the Mahayana teachings and the role of the Bodhisattva, who works for the liberation of all sentient beings, which, by definition, includes his own.

In short, when others are properly taken care of, so is the enlightened leader. I propose that it is with these attitudes, integrity, character, values, and principles embodied by a leader that healthy and balanced leadership can ensue. Compromised for sure by others, he gently and firmly stands up on the side of the People and for the predominance of virtue as Lao-tse has elegantly put forward in verse.

Notes

1 Dynamic diplomacy at Meer.
2 Record number of journalists killed in 2025; Israel responsible for two-thirds of deaths at Committee to protect journalists.
3 Step-by-Step Guide to Understanding the Peter Principle at Wall Street Prep.