This book is the second part of a one-two punch. In the first, The Cult of Incompetence, Faguet laid out his case: modern society (he was writing around 1900) actively rewards mediocrity and punishes excellence. It's safer, and more profitable, to be pleasantly useless than to be boldly competent and risk making enemies.

The Story

There isn't a plot with characters in the traditional sense. Think of it as a brilliant, extended argument. Faguet starts by assuming his readers agree that the 'cult of incompetence' is real. Then, he turns the spotlight on the other side of the coin: the capable people. He asks, if the system is broken and rewards failure, why would any sane, skilled person want to take on a leadership role? The 'horror' he describes is the overwhelming dread of responsibility in a world set up for you to fail. It's the feeling that stepping up to fix a problem means inheriting all the blame when it inevitably goes wrong, thanks to the incompetent system you're trapped in. The 'story' is the logical conclusion of his first book—a society where no one competent is left at the wheel because they've all wisely run for the hills.

Why You Should Read It

You should read this because it's like a mirror held up to our own time. Swap out 'French Parliament' for any modern bureaucracy, corporation, or online community, and Faguet's observations hit home. His writing isn't stuffy; it's direct and often laced with sarcastic wit. He's not just complaining; he's tracing a cause (celebrating incompetence) to its effect (the flight of the competent). It gives you a framework to understand why good projects stall, why talented people leave organizations, and why public discourse often feels so shallow. It's oddly comforting to know this isn't a new problem.

Final Verdict

This is perfect for anyone who enjoys political or social commentary, fans of writers like Orwell or Mencken, or readers who like their history with a heavy dose of 'plus ça change' (the more things change...). It's not a light beach read, but it's a short, stimulating one. If you've ever felt frustrated by red tape, baffled by a bad hire getting promoted, or wondered 'why doesn't someone fix this?', Faguet provides a century-old, razor-sharp answer. Just be prepared to see his 'horror' reflected in today's headlines.