13.b. I think EAs’ belief in concentrating power among the competent is wise.
Needs fulfilled: effectiveness
Associated emotions: confidence, trust
Description: “I strongly support some EAs’ belief that influence and resources should be concentrated among a minority of highly competent and accomplished individuals. I’m not advocating that an extreme minority has total control over the movement. But a more centralised approach is far more effective than distributing influence and resources broadly among all EA practitioners. Whilst highly competent people are indeed human and fallible, their track record demonstrates they make significantly better decisions than democratic alternatives would produce. A more distributed approach would inevitably suffer from democratic inefficiencies. These downsides aren’t minor trade-offs—they represent fundamental threats to EA’s effectiveness that could prevent us from addressing urgent global problems.”
13.a. I think EAs’ belief in concentrating power among the competent is misguided.
Needs not fulfilled: effectiveness
Associated emotions: worry
Description: “I’m concerned about some EAs’ belief that influence and resources should be concentrated among a minority of highly competent and accomplished individuals. Even if EA organisations and programmes could perfectly identify the right people, I think this centralised approach is fundamentally flawed. Highly competent people are still subject to self-interest and self-delusion that can lead to poor decisions. The more influence any individual has, the more damage they can potentially cause when they make mistakes or prioritise their own interests over the movement’s. I’m not advocating extreme egalitarianism, where all EA members have equal resources and influence. But I believe that spreading influence and resources among more people would significantly reduce these risks. Yes, a more distributed approach might suffer from typical democratic issues, but I believe this is a worthwhile trade-off.”
13. Should the best people be in charge?
13.b. I think EAs’ belief in concentrating power among the competent is wise.
Needs fulfilled: effectiveness
Associated emotions: confidence, trust
Description: “I strongly support some EAs’ belief that influence and resources should be concentrated among a minority of highly competent and accomplished individuals. I’m not advocating that an extreme minority has total control over the movement. But a more centralised approach is far more effective than distributing influence and resources broadly among all EA practitioners. Whilst highly competent people are indeed human and fallible, their track record demonstrates they make significantly better decisions than democratic alternatives would produce. A more distributed approach would inevitably suffer from democratic inefficiencies. These downsides aren’t minor trade-offs—they represent fundamental threats to EA’s effectiveness that could prevent us from addressing urgent global problems.”
13.a. I think EAs’ belief in concentrating power among the competent is misguided.
Needs not fulfilled: effectiveness
Associated emotions: worry
Description: “I’m concerned about some EAs’ belief that influence and resources should be concentrated among a minority of highly competent and accomplished individuals. Even if EA organisations and programmes could perfectly identify the right people, I think this centralised approach is fundamentally flawed. Highly competent people are still subject to self-interest and self-delusion that can lead to poor decisions. The more influence any individual has, the more damage they can potentially cause when they make mistakes or prioritise their own interests over the movement’s. I’m not advocating extreme egalitarianism, where all EA members have equal resources and influence. But I believe that spreading influence and resources among more people would significantly reduce these risks. Yes, a more distributed approach might suffer from typical democratic issues, but I believe this is a worthwhile trade-off.”