> The current level of competence at world-running is very low.

Yes? If by "running competently" you mean the prosperity of the general population and peace, sure, it's not that competent. But why'd you think that'd be their goal? If anything, Orwell's "1984" shows the mindset perfectly: keep the general public in misery, while skimming whatever cream there is; no need to try and grow the pie, there is enough for them, and the rest of the world can go buck itself.

If they are "running the world" they are certainly not doing so for your benefit.

(There is also a great deal of distance between "running the world" and "influencing some events for the benefit of a select few, no matter what the costs to the rest of the world". Personally, I find the latter far more likely, but also undesireable.)

I don't follow the logic - because incompetent people are running the show, some other group of incompetent people can't be running the show?

The carlyle group is a publicly traded company that mainly invests pension funds.

Isn’t the point to be in charge regardless of competence or popularity? That is real power.

Those things are far more necessary for an Employee than an Owner.

All the rich guys who aligned themselves with MAGA/Trump are even richer now, so I’d say they’re quite successful. Their goal isn’t creating a stable, pleasant world. It’s solidifying their power, largely through acquisition of obscene wealth.

We are seeing results. The rich have it better than ever. That's the results.

I think the incompetence is the point. I imagine what "running the world" really looks like is making bank off international loans and reconsutruction projects after one useful idiot bombs the country of another.

Yes. To be clear they think they are running the world because all the ass kissers around them told them they are.

Reality is a lot less forgiving of their delusions.