Why Are Politicians Universally Corrupt?
Dr. Rahe's recent post on China got me thinking; why are politicians universally corrupt? If you're a conservative like me, you probably have a fairly small circle of friends. I choose my friends based on virtue. I don't have a single friend I wouldn't trust with the keys to my house, my checkbook, or my wife (if I had one). Life is difficult enough; why would I willingly surround myself with thieves, liars, scalawags, bums and misanthropes? And yet, even in a democracy, we routinely elect bottom-dwellers to office. We elect people to steal from us and lie to us. How perverse is that?
I'm reminded of the Italian psychologist whose client list consisted entirely of politicians. Following the electoral wipe out in the 90s of the entire Italian parliament, he stated openly and without reservation that every one of his clients had entered politics for the graft. Power may or may not ultimately corrupt, but most certainly the most corrupt among us are drawn to politics. I guess con-men recognize a good scam when they see it.
Are the politicians we elect merely a reflection of the values, or lack thereof, in the body politic as a whole? Two months ago, we declined to elect the most morally upright man in the country to the office of the presidency. Or am I just being naive? In the most recent Dave Carter post I coined the word "misanthocracy" to describe a government motivated by malice toward its own citizenry. Someone help me out here. Why is it the very worst among us claw their way to the top?
- Comment (36)
- · Quote
- · UnfollowFollow (18)
- Pages:
- 1
- 2
Comments:
Oct '10
Re: Why Are Politicians Universally Corrupt?
POWER! Politics is corporate power. Power is honey to the charismatic insects that run for office. And money is the expression of personal, as opposed to corporate, power. Hence, those who want power seek to become politicians. It is the most direct route to power, and personal wealth, that exists.
The Constitution of the United States of America was written by men who understood this, and created a government designed to minimize that accumulation of power. Their design was, in effect, a means of minimizing the influence of men of low intent.
But, the virtue of a free people was required to secure and maintain that system. Of course, charismatic men of low intent can accomplish the accumulation of power by convincing an unvirtuous people that their greed will prevail over others and satisfy their hunger for the fruits of power vicariously.
And then the end of our Republic.
Jun '12
Re: Why Are Politicians Universally Corrupt?
Start with Hayek's "The Road to Serfdom." He has a chapter devoted to why the cream does not rise to the top in politicians.
May '10
Re: Why Are Politicians Universally Corrupt?
Regardless of the political system, be it a nominal western democracy or a more closed party oligarchy, it all draws the same type of ambitious and narcissistic people.
Take our country for example. There are 310 million of us and 537 elected federal officials. It takes quite an ego to say that you believe you should be one of just 435 in the House. It takes a larger one to think you should be one of only 100 in the Senate. What kind of self absorption does to take to run for President?
Almost all politicians start their careers on the lowest levels and then begin what the British call "climbing the greasy poll." It usually requires ditching ones' core beliefs for expediency and political survival. Once you've started compromising to keep power what you need to do to advance and accumulate more becomes easier.
Now, imagine what one needs to do in a more ruthless authoritarian system like communism or fascism.
Dec '12
Re: Why Are Politicians Universally Corrupt?
All power corrupts. Add to that the nature of political office today, which pretty much rules out an honest person getting elected, and you have dishonest power hungry politicians dominating the field.
So long as voters lap up pretty lies and shun honesty, politicians will be corrupt BS artists. The constitution was written to take that in to account and limit their power and its effect. We are rapidly abandoning any of those limitations in the name of security, charity, progress, you name it. Limited government is considered too confining for the power hungry ruling class. And the voters no longer understand, or believe in, the universal truths in the constitution.
Apr '12
Re: Why Are Politicians Universally Corrupt?
The real question is, "Why have we allowed governments to have power that would attract scoundrels to politics?" Human nature is what it is and has always been. Individuals may change, the human race does not change much or quickly. If power is in politics, the scalawags will go into politics. Otherwise, they'll be running carnivals and in rackets like artist management (See biographical information on Colonel Tom Parker.) Oh, or being ministers, running churches, or founding religions (see L. Ron Hubbard.)
Dec '10
Re: Why Are Politicians Universally Corrupt?
Original sin? Innate depravity if you are Calvinist.
Jun '10
Re: Why Are Politicians Universally Corrupt?
I'm almost tempted to run for office with the slogan "Vote for Paules; He's Only in It for the Chicks."
Mar '11
Re: Why Are Politicians Universally Corrupt?
Funny, that - universally corrupt. Maybe there were, in the past, some who rose above corruption for the sake of lucre - maybe Churchill, maybe Coolidge - certainly, Washington. But in the last 60 years? Hmmmm.
Oct '10
Re: Why Are Politicians Universally Corrupt?
To remind us all, there are good men in politics. But they are as rare as whores with integrity.
May '10
Re: Why Are Politicians Universally Corrupt?
Whores have integrity when compared to politicians. They at least acknowledge what they do.
Jun '10
Re: Why Are Politicians Universally Corrupt?
"Vote for Paules: Because He Doesn't Really Want the Job"
Jun '10
Re: Why Are Politicians Universally Corrupt?
EJ, you gonna help me run for office?
May '10
Re: Why Are Politicians Universally Corrupt?
Whatever I can do.
Jun '10
Re: Why Are Politicians Universally Corrupt?
EJHill
Whatever I can do. · 1 minute ago
You're hired.
Apr '12
Re: Why Are Politicians Universally Corrupt?
How did this go from the OP asking why politicians are corrupt to his running for office? And in less than a page of posts?
Jun '10
Re: Why Are Politicians Universally Corrupt?
My mind is unusually fast at connecting dots.
May '10
Re: Why Are Politicians Universally Corrupt?
First we need to build name recognition. A couple million of these should do the trick:
May '10
Re: Why Are Politicians Universally Corrupt?
Raycon, referring to politicians and whores in the same sentence is an insult to whores.
Dec '12
Re: Why Are Politicians Universally Corrupt?
Power is the opiate of the elites. It does not matter if their intentions are pure when they start. All politicians eventually end up addicted to it.
Nov '12
Re: Why Are Politicians Universally Corrupt?
Ah, a career in politics.
Say what?!