... For They Don't Know What They Are Doing. Second Edition (Paperback) (ISBN-13: 9791256972005)

Why do so many of our political leaders seem unfit to govern, and why do we keep electing them anyway?

In this timely and provocative book, political author and world historian Dr. Goerdt Abel takes readers on a sweeping global and historical journey to examine how deeply flawed individuals often rise to the top of political power. From emperors and monarchs to modern populists and autocrats, Abel uncovers recurring patterns of incompetence, vanity, and moral failure that have led to war, economic collapse, and widespread suffering.

Drawing from his personal experience as a business leader during the reunification of Germany and decades of study in political history, Abel critiques current systems of governance in both democratic and authoritarian regimes. He argues that in nearly every country, political office requires fewer qualifications than even basic professions like nursing, teaching, or taxi driving.

What emerges is a forceful call for change: the introduction of formal qualification standards for political leadership, rooted in competence, ethical conduct, and long-term thinking. Through historical analysis, institutional critique, and pragmatic policy proposals, ...For They Don't Know What They Are Doing challenges readers to rethink who gets to lead-and why it matters.

Essential reading for anyone interested in politics, leadership, history, or the future of democracy, this book will spark debate, provoke introspection, and inspire reform.

Dipl. Kfm. Dr. Goerdt Karl Friedrich Abel was born in Amorbach, Lower Franconia, in 1944.

After attending technical college in Vienna, he continued his studies at the Hochschule für Welthandel (today the Vienna University of Economics and Business) and graduated with a "Dipl.-Kfm." and a doctorate in commercial sciences (1970).

In 1973, Dr Goerdt Abel took over the ABEL family business as managing partner and at the same time set up a subsidiary in the USA together with his wife Maria. In 1989, he bought the East German pump factory and iron foundry Steinach in Thuringia from the Treuhand's predecessor company. After great initial difficulties, the company was able to establish itself successfully in Germany and neighboring European countries thanks to the hard work of all those involved.

The foundry was later sold to a West German foundry group and today provides around 60 jobs. After many years in the global cloud software industry, Dr Goerdt Abel has retired from active business life and now lives in Austria and Mexico.

Since then, he has devoted himself to his sporting, cultural and family interests and has written an autobiographical book as a case study on the subject of German reunification from an economic and political perspective entitled "Steinach und die Wahrheiten" ("Steinach and the Truths").