Why Wizards Disappeared from the Muggle World in 'Harry Potter' — The Surprisingly Simple Truth

The wizarding world in Harry Potter seems all-powerful. Spells heal, kill, create any convenience out of thin air. But even in such a universe, wizards are forced to hide from ordinary people. Why? Why don't they subjugate, rule from the shadows, build a magical Google or create their own state on the Moon? The answers are much darker and stupider than you might expect.

Wizards are actually afraid of Muggles

Paradox: they call Muggles "primitive" and "limited", but they themselves live in fear of being discovered. History shows that this fear is not unfounded. In the Middle Ages, Muggle hunters persecuted wizards, burned witches (sometimes unsuccessfully — thanks to spells). But sometimes they got to real wizards. An example is the ghost of Nearly Headless Nick, killed after he lost his wand.

This fear gave birth to the International Statute of Secrecy. Instead of open war, wizards chose the shadow. Not because they are noble, but because it is easier to survive.

They do not understand how the Muggle world works

Computers, phones, electricity? All of this is dark artifacts for them. Even those who should understand, like Arthur Weasley, can hardly distinguish an electrical outlet from a radio. Muggle-borns like Hermione are a rarity. Most wizards have never learned to understand Muggles, their food, clothes, money. Hence the fear of the incomprehensible and complete indifference to the reality on the other side of the street.

Muggles are stronger — and wizards know it

If Muggles used to be a disorganized mob with pitchforks, now they are a civilization with a nuclear arsenal. Magic is powerless against tanks, viruses, satellites and public opinion. Even the darkest wizard cannot compare with a state that has an army, intelligence and the Internet at its disposal.

An attempt to establish secret control? Theoretically possible. But erasing the memory of millions, controlling consciousness is not only difficult, but also immoral even by the standards of the magical world. And it will definitely not receive mass support.

So why didn’t they just leave?

To an island, in the sky, underground or to another planet — magic allows it. But, oddly enough, they preferred to live next door, hiding. Perhaps they it is convenient for them. Or, as often happens, tradition is more important than logic.