We are in a leadership free fall.
There is no leadership and there hasn’t been for some centuries now.
There may have been a blip here and there, but it’s mostly been extractive wealthy sociopaths trying to get richer.
From enclosure in the middle ages, to colonialism, to slavery and industrial age exploitation and on to modern times.
Our societies and countries have been shaped around the wealthy being unaccountable.
They’re not going to start acting like responsible stewards now.
Centuries? Taking your point, but who did you think Alexander (the Great) and Ramesses II (the Great) were?
Either, both, but also I'm wondering if there isn't necessarily a distinction. Consider European medieval leaders who were great because of their constant wars that brought treasures to their followers.
Reference, among many, chapter 81 here.
https://deremilitari.org/2014/01/robert-of-claris-account-of-the-fourth-crusade/
@zygmyd This is going wildly off-topic. My point is that leaders rarely choose the general good but instead choose extractive enrichment for themselves or their wealthy backers.
Enrichment through conquest is still extractive.
Arthur P. Dent
zygmyd