A bunch of incompetent leaders can get nothing done. They'll focus on attacking each other and destroying what ground they live on. An incompetent leader will try to get his vision realized. Might not work all of it but some of it might pan out.
I think the parent is suggesting that they don’t do nothing. Only that they do nothing to further the best interests of the people. They will absolutely further their own interests and have little interest in the (often human cost) side-effects of attacking each other.
