Incompetence v Conspiracy

There are two view points of the general drift of world events, which can largely be categorised as the incompetence theory or the conspiracy theory. The vast majority of the populace, largely as a result of their hapless dependence on the mainstream media, continue to think of their governments as largely incompetent. This is fuelled by numerous stories about the inability of politicians to ever do anything sensible. Of course if there were actually a shadowy elite behind the scenes who fund not only the media but also the political parties and the military machine, it would make sense to keep things that way, because otherwise people would sense a deep dislocation at the heart of things - how could a remotely competent government allow the disastrous tide of events we are swamped by in this 21st century, in which man is supposed to have come of age and learnt from history how not to mess up?
So the economic meltdown was not anticipated, nor was 9/11; they crept up when we were not looking - no one can be to blame but those whom it suits us to blame, the bogeymen we have created for just that purpose. The enemy now is banks with no money. This cannot at any cost be allowed, and so the solution is that the perpetrators of the crunch themselves are given all our remaining cash. The conspiracy theorist is also the enemy. He must not be allowed to consider alternative explanations; the perceived reality must be preserved at all costs because the truth will really set the people free; that truth being that the power really rests with the people and not with those who love power, but can only hold onto it by perpetrating the lie. Can the dam be broken? The Truth alone can do it, but the lie holds sway. And the prince of this world is the father of lies.