In The Republic, arguably the Western world’s most famous philosophical work, Plato grapples with timeless questions of morality and justice, envisioning an ideal state. He believed that such a state should be governed by a guardian class of virtuous experts – philosopher kings. With slick gelled hair, a command of social media, and charisma, El Salvador’s president, Nayib Bukele, 43, proclaims himself to embody Plato’s ideal ruler – a modern-day philosopher king.
Never one to shy away from controversy, the “world’s coolest dictator” has transformed El Salvador from the murder capital of the world to one of the region’s safest nations. Since the introduction of a national “state of exception” in March 2022, security forces rounded up approximately 80,000 suspected gang members – over 1% of the country’s population. The country now has the highest incarceration rate in the world.
The “Bukele model” of crime and policy reform has garnered its namesake an approval rating that hovers around 90%, alongside international condemnations over alleged human rights violations and democratic backsliding. In light of the seminal work on institutions by this year’s economics Nobel laureates, it is only fitting that we all pay attention to how the El Salvadorian story unfolds through both economic and political lenses.
Bukele’s approach to governance exemplifies the tension between state centralisation and inclusivity. In Why Nations Fail (2012), Nobel winners Daron Acemoglu and James Robinson emphasise the importance of inclusive political and economic institutions in fostering a nation’s prosperity. Inclusive political institutions embrace plurality, distribute power widely, and are synergistically linked to inclusive economic institutions, giving impetus to virtuous circles. Just as essential, however, is a degree of state centralisation to uphold law and order - an idea resonating with Max Weber’s astute definition of the state as the entity claiming a “monopoly of legitimate violence” within society.
While the anti-establishment populist has arguably eroded El Salvador’s fragile political institutions, he undeniably succeeded in centralising state power.
The aforementioned “state of exception,” renewed 32 times since introduction, grants authorities emergency powers that restrict certain civil liberties and allows arrests and detention without due process. Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International report numerous human rights violations, including allegations of torture, unfair trials, and arbitrary arrests. Authorities have acknowledged “some mistakes,” releasing around 7,000 individuals after their wrongful detention. To Bukele, such sacrifices are justified to ensure national security. He has delivered security for millions, albeit at the cost of thousands of potentially innocent lives. The philosopher king’s actions seemingly beget philosophical dilemmas.
Bukele’s defiance of checks and balances - a principle emphasised in Why Nations Fail (2012, p.329) - is evident once again in his reelection this year. Critics allege that a judiciary packed with Bukele loyalists allowed him to run for reelection despite a constitutional ban. This erosion of the separation of powers fuels concerns about authoritarian drift. Yet, the numbers speak for themselves: he won by a landslide.
While fears of authoritarianism are valid, one fact remains clear: Bukele is wildly popular. His reforms were desperately needed, breathing life back into a country once dominated by gangs. Regardless of the extraordinary measures he has employed, he is as a better alternative to the stagnant status quo. However, he now faces the daunting challenge of revitalising El Salvador’s economy. El Salvador remains heavily indebted, highly reliant on remittances, and extreme poverty has doubled to 10% since Bukele’s election.
Efforts to improve economic conditions are underway, with recent upgrades from rating agencies validating a more optimistic outlook. Bukele’s administration has made moves to attract foreign investment, including adopting Bitcoin as legal tender - a controversial decision aimed at boosting financial inclusion and tourism. However, the pressing question remains: how will the Salvadorian experiment unfold as voters’ concerns shift from security to the economy?
One must wonder how the philosopher king, buoyed with political dominance and weakened checks on his power, will navigate the challenges ahead, particularly when his term’s end inevitably tests his commitment to democracy.
On that note, it feels fitting to conclude with a quote often invoked to question Plato’s concept of ideal rulers. As Juvenal, one of my favourite poets, aptly asked: 'Who will guard the guardians?'
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