Tuesday, December 09, 2008

Czar

Lately, people have been discussing having a "car czar" for managing the automobile industry bailout. I think this is interesting.

Why do we use the metaphor of Russian despots from the middle ages to describe reformers in our government? Does this language help or hinder the accomplishment of the goals that we have "czar"s for? Which of the government "czar" positiions have really had a lot of success?

4 comments:

larkswing said...

Interesting. My first thought/feeling when the car czar term was used ...good, no playing around with this bailout. No coddling - fix the problem but not just at the expense of the tax payer - reformation of the industry that is long overdue. And as I type that, maybe that is why they used the term, to match the archaic (sp) technology and business plans being used in the industry. . . hmmmmmm

David Cho said...

You are right! Even though it has been around for a long time, I never thought of that (i.e. drug czar)

So about 100 years from now, will the person be called a "car fehurer"?

Steve said...

I don't get it. The points you have made here are why "czar" is the perfect title. Most of the Russian Czars were corrupt, inept, wasted ridiculous amounts of money confiscated from their subjets, etc. Perhaps "commisar" would be the only more apt title.

feels good b n FREE said...

I can't explain that phenomena...but, I actually think it would be a good idea by any name...lol
I'm glad people are seeing that this industry (as well as many others) is out of control.

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