The Dunning–Kruger Problem in Modern Governance

Overconfidence despite clear incompetence was evident in both Obama and Mamdani.

Jeannie DeAngelis | March 23, 2026

There is a cognitive bias called the Dunning–Kruger effect, which -- in my opinion -- would be better called the Obama-Mamdani effect today. Dunning-Kruger describes a delusional mindset where “People with low knowledge or skill in an area tend to overestimate how competent they are.” In biblical terms, this kind of hubris is defined by Paul in Romans 12:3 as one “...think[ing] more highly of oneself than one ought.” That Scripture verse captures the essence of two popular, similar politicians who, despite having little knowledge or skill, have convinced many Americans of an expertise that simply doesn’t exist.

The Dunning-Kruger effect is a significant issue in politics and governance. When leading people, a lack of self-awareness about personal experience or expertise, combined with excessive charm, can harm large groups of innocent citizens, leaving them vulnerable to those with delusional self-perceptions who wield more power than they can manage.

Those who enforce the delusion of Dunning-Kruger on others are often people who perform poorly but lack the self-awareness to see that their confidence is unfounded. For some of us, that kind of overconfidence despite clear incompetence was evident in both Obama and Mamdani.

Judging by the arrogance assessment, Zohran and Barack are men cut from the same egotistical cloth. Why? Both clearly overestimate how past experience of stirring up trouble for poor people translates into the ability to manage complex government systems. Barack Hussein Obama and Zohran Kwame Mamdani’s deception about their own abilities is so deep and wide that each ran for and won political offices they weren't truly qualified for. In fact, these guys are so similar that it takes only 1 hour and 30 minutes to fly from Barack’s “home country in Kenya" to Zohran’s birthplace in Uganda.

Granted, both men are eloquent, engaging speakers, and they smile a lot. One will occasionally even croon an Al Green tune for relatability, and both, to varying degrees, promote Islam. They entertain radical friends, dare to speak for all Americans, and, in Mamdani’s case, for all........

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