Iraq's 'culture of mediocrity' debate revives 2015 book on systemic laziness

A 2015 book by Canadian philosopher Alain Deneault, titled "The Mediocracy" (in French, "La médiocratie"), has resurfaced in Arab-language media discussions about Iraq's public life. The book argues that certain institutions and societies elevate moderately competent individuals while marginalizing independent and critical thinkers, framing laziness not as low intelligence but as a combination of avoiding critical thought, following orders without questioning, valuing appearances and placing personal career interests ahead of public service. According to the discussion, social media has accelerated this tendency, with the system spreading across state institutions, corporations, universities, the media and politics. In the Iraqi context, the author highlights five indicators: declining creativity, frustration among competent individuals, widespread financial and administrative corruption, a drop in public service quality and delays in civil servant salary payments. The book also describes a workplace balance in which success requires being "neither too brilliant nor too inadequate, but compliant and obedient." Deneault concludes that combating mediocrity depends on respect for scientific expertise and a culture of informed criticism rather than slogans.