The Religion of Power

I have been fascinated by a phenomenon that popped up on Twitter: Nigerian weddings, where the bride refuses to be happy until she has literally had enough money thrown at her to buy her happiness. You can see it here or here, or through any search.

Why does it matter? Because I think this very same mindset has corrupted a vast swath of institutions and government employees and even regular people across America and the rest of what used to be called Western Civilization.

Actually, corruption is the rule, not the exception, around the world. For a long time, it was only in the anglosphere where police officers could not be bribed – and in many countries, the entire purpose of becoming a police officer is to run a protection racket on normal citizens. When we visit Russia or Vietnam, we shrug our shoulders and explain that the shakedown racket is “cultural” – but is it really so far removed from all the little speed traps set up by countless small towns to supplement their income?

The line between the speed trap and outright corruption is not clear and shining. Civil forfeiture laws essentially incentivized outright corruption. And the behavior of the police across Europe right now, where the police serve as the enforcement arm for the passionate Muslim minority, is worse than corruption: it is evil, incarnate within the very institutions that were designed to prevent such abuses of power.

There is a close connection between the cultural and ethical trappings of a society and its religious belief system. Faiths that believe that power is its own justification – represented by the power of various natural forces – are the most corrupt. The sun beats down because it can. So do the sea and the wind, etc. If we want the favor of those deities, we must pay them off, and the more we offer, the more favor we have purchased.

To Nigerians, the behavior of the bride reflects the behavior of pagan deities, who demand to be bought off. It comes as no surprise that there is no kleptocrat like a Nigerian kleptocrat.

The powerful leverage their power, trading for wealth. I think this is also at the heart of the call for reparations in America: radicals in America do not demand reparations for black people because they are weak, but precisely the opposite - because they are strong! Which is why reparations are being demanded in order to forestall violence and curry favor; it is no different in quality than the behavior of a Mafia protection enforcer or a Nigerian bride.

The solutions have to come from all levels. We are all responsible, to some extent. Are we, each one of us, partners in ensuring justice? Or do we stand by and watch others defile the very concept of a blind and law-driven justice, political, and social system? Is this not also at the heart of so many policies: unborn babies are aborted precisely because they have no ability or power to fight for their lives?

It is hard to resist “because I can” forms of corruption. “Because I can” is a way of thinking that is as natural as the flowing of water downhill. It is found, to some extent, in every playground, school, home, and workplace. “Because I can” is an ever-present challenge to what is right.

Today, we know that politicians can not only be bought, but their stock trading (to choose but one example among many) is a “legal” way to ensure they can trade power for wealth, back and forth in an endless parasitical cycle. And nobody seems to be able to stop it – everyone turns on the rare suicidal rebel who tries to blow the whistle on the practice.

(Trump is a curious edge case, because we know he is also, in his heart, an opportunist who tries to make money at every turn. But there is a key difference: Trump and his people seek to aggrandize themselves, but they generally do not do it by selling out the American people. I recognize that others may not see it the same way!)

Alas, if it were only politicians. There is still a patina of “justice” or “civil service” – but nobody who has had to work with garbage men, mailmen, DMV employees, school teachers or even police officers, can, with a straight face, suggest that “civil service” is what usually motivates government employees.

Acting solely in our self-interest is evil. It eats away at the foundations of a holy society (not for nothing does the Torah stress: “Justice, justice, thou shalt pursue”). True justice requires hearing everyone. We are commanded to adhere to the law and not to show favor because a person is powerful or weak.

Today, everyone seeks their self-interest – the more the better. “Look out for #1” and “Be True to Yourself” are constant refrains. The battle is inevitable and never-ending. Water will still flow downhill; the king (and Deep State) will still accumulate too many horses and wives and gold – but we keep trying to cap it at every turn.

A holy society seeks to honor all life. It rejects and repels the corrupting influence of power and money and selfishness. It celebrates those who show kindness and love and selflessness. Above all, it understands that the tokens of love and appreciation and caring are both better and ultimately more meaningful than the amount of money we throw at a bride.