I mean, they must know how much the public mocks them, right? What are the odds they’re actively trying to make everything worse as a Jokerfied “I’m taking the whole world out with me.” kind of thing?
Just a random tin foil hat thought, don’t take this too seriously
I think they justify themselves with the trappings of meritocracy (read: social darwinism)
They’re aware that the world is getting worse from increased automation and climate change, but its fine because the cream (very smart boys and girls of good breeding ;) ) will rise to the top and the unnecessary will be discarded and eventually they’ll come out the other side (with their help and leadership!) as a better, much smaller, humanity