The law of political selection, it should be noted, is not based on any cynical assumption about politicians, any more than our bus-system analysis (pp. 5.4:5-8) displays a cynical attitude toward bus drivers. Some politicians, like members of any other group, may be motivated by the highest ethical principles; furthermore, some kinds of political systems may tend to promote such true statesmen and stateswomen into positions of authority. But if the natural tendencies of a particular system work to the disadvantage of such idealists, then those who assume authority in the long run will tend to be less idealistic. The selection law is a logical necessity that is built into political systems. The tendency of a political system to select individuals who are adept at obtaining and keeping political authority is distinct from but parallel to market selection, that is, the tendency of the market to select efficient producers and investors.

The principle has an important corollary: unless a government is based on a clear, principled, moral understanding among the people, political selection will in the long run tend to eliminate any politician or government official who places moral concerns above pragmatic considerations of power.