The Psychology of Corruption (Corruption and Hate Thought Experiment)

Let us continuing to explore the concept of corruption and its impact on society. These are difficult concepts to discuss as people have strong opinions and often confuse purpose and outcomes. Likewise, when there is corruption it is sometimes comingled with other poor behaviors such as hate. Those who engage and protect corruption is about a perspective of thinking about the importance of oneself in relationship to others in society. If you feel obligations to society, administators of corruption will make one choice, and if they feel more obligaton to self or a group (i.e. clan in this example) they make other choices.

The philosophical thought experiment for learning goes something like this...

A group of people engaged in mistreatment of people they thought were sub human based on some factor (race, religion, politic, etc. pick anything really) and took it upon themselves to harm and exploit victims for self gain. They did some serious damage to these families (kids and sick elderly) and bragged about the harm they caused. Bigotries and corruption mixed with  extremism level aggression. No consequence because they were part of the same social group (some worked together).

Unchecked hate was designed to enrich the perpetrators and harm out group members. Later it was discovered that similar behaviors were happening to others. It was fairly widespread and people knew about it but did nothing (All the machoness meant nothing when it counted to protect their community.). The ones who wanted to do something simply couldn't out of fear of social rejection (or more). 

Complaints of sexual explotation, civil/human rights violations, freedom of religion violations, preference in courts and many other factors came out that indicated a clear benefit for clan members. In their totality they helped show that a central group of poor actors could intentionally warp a justice system (Why it was important for people from the inside to report such behaviors. Good officials muted with unwritten codes learned implicitely.)

In this hypothetical example money would have been a major motivational factor and so would certain religious, racial, or other factors (Think any difference. Eye Color Experiment/Exercise). Social position and standing might be another. A closed system was discovered where justice would be nearly impossible under the circumstances. Complaints and whisteblowers were often put on secretive lists and retaliated against for years which allowed the problem to persist long after it was discovered. Intentionally no recourse for victims. Investigations into perpetrators blocked.

Eventually so many complaints and issues came forward they simply couldn't deny it any longer or use their positions to shield clan members (We can go through at a later time what data/evidence could be used to prove corruption and negligence.).  They were forced to deal with the problems they created and they went out of their way to hide and protect. i.e. keeping the network intact and able to repeat behaviors. Pushing the problems on the victims by defaming and dehumanizing them no longer was an acceptable path and the tool became less sharp the more they blunted it against everyday concerned citizens.

Opportunities to improve for the benefit of everyone appeared dismissed. In this example there is more going on and there is a good chance a positive result will occur. However that required moving out of the local system. Bigotries may or may not still exist but the social bias would be less pronounced. "If it is learned, it can be unlearned" Jane Elliot (eye color experiment author)

Most would agree that such a system is not at its optimum and would be worthy of some change; at least if it is trying to stay true to mission. Certainly we can understand some of the motivations for the poor behaviors. The same motivations apply to corrupted officials as it would be to street crimes. They are rooted in our psychology but some are more likely to act on these when compared to others. When you want something and find a path to do it, even if illegal, some will do that while others will not.

The psychology of it is something worth looking at. Searching around I found this Cognitive Psychology of Corruption

*This is a philosophical thought experiment designed to explore the concept of corruption and hate. Take with a grain of salt. 4 stages were so far defined from this story. We can write a positive ending to it but are exploring it a little. Relax and take a breath.