It is important to further understand what is the highest functioning systems a society can create through positive and negative feedback that fosters a supported moral order (
Devil's Advocate). We have been using a hypothetical thought experiment about corruption that ran unchecked for years and some of the damage it can cause when appropriate checks-and-balances are not present. In order to reverse trends of declining trust there are some things we can do, but we should first understand the key aspects of underlining mechanisms of hate and corruption (
comingled factors that lead to effective lawlessness on an actualized level). The longer term impact on economic and social development can be profound if fundamentals of human exchange from an institutional perspective are wobly or not supported.
(In our example there was declining population and poor economic peformance. Detroit was a similar example until corruption was challenged. There are microtransactions that can be studied for patterns and those can lead to understanding wider distorted processes. Likewise, such microtransactions can be used to frame economics and possibly improve economic resilience through alignment of systems to enhance performance. Theoretically anyway.).
The Example:
The hypothetical philosophical example for learning purposes highlights how someone wanted something, spread hate based rumors, utilized their employment and personal networks, etc. to obtain wealth and damage others. Some of the poor behaviors contained social motivations (the ego), some through deep hate (intentional dehumanization), some through mental health (dark triad traits), and some through corruption (unfair protections and preferences in the courts). Because of there were close affiliations with a number of tainted officials (not representing the vast majority) some likewise engaged in extreme aggression to cleanse/force out what they saw as not "local" (...local more focused on ethnocentric in-group and not on locality or longevity. i.e. Native Americans and others not seen as "local" despite predating European settlement.).
Whisteblowers came forward and were quickly retaliated against, children and the sick put at risk, vets mistreated, reports of sexual exploitation (
of age and underage), lost money, nepotism, etc. and some court officials aware of some of the misbehaviors (
Similar indicents occured in the deep South where the courts became tools for harming others. i.e. land grabs. In this example there was wider knowledge of misbehaviors.). The justice system initially failed the community because of a distorted lens that could not shake their bigotries or single vantage point perspectives. The victims intentionally had fundamental rights invalidated and general disdain toward correcting issues that were at their root inappropriate, dangerous and illegal (
Possibly indicating the court struggled with understanding their purpose as an institution. Religion, social networks, race, locality, etc. should not cloud judgement.), willingly dehumanized others and put into a second class citizenship status (
two different worlds of life). One person is one person but many people indicates structural and cultural concerns (
i.e. organizational culture).
(
Keep in mind this is a learning example so take with a grain of salt. It is meant to get you to think and one of the ways to do that is to delve into the emotions that come with wrongdoing because they are encoded neurologically through these biological mechanisms. Most people would have a natural avoidance of the risks of uncertainty that comes through wrongdoing or violating social contracts so this is a good place to think about perceptions and normalization of corruption and hate. At some point emotion and logic will be tied together to be parsimonious. Emotions, Learning, Memory, Logic)
The Moral and Legal Failures:Remember, that nations are built on certain principles but not all people believe in those principles as much as they should or could (
the people who disbelieve can wrap themselves in all types of outward socially attracting symbolic displays they want but can still be prone to failing when they are most needed.). True patriots stand for oaths and they do so at great personal risks so they can fulfill their promises (
...even when many others sold out national values quickly.). Some of us may know there is a Constitution but have not yet read it. Perhaps we are aware of the sacrifices of so many of our fathers and mothers (ancestors) before us but believe the benefits applies to only us, whatever our kind may be, or our perceptions (even if with extreme arrogance that harms others). Now imagine there are no backstops and nothing else within the system to uphold the law. It was well known that misbehaviors occured, coaching perpetrators how to do the most harm, conflicts of interest, protection of misbehaviors and a mockery of the purpose of law. The biggest crimes not by petty theives but well polished tainted officials who invalidated generations of values to help their friends and ethnocentric misperceptions (
It's just an example, there are other lawful mechanisms for tackling a corrupted network but they do not always function fully.).
The Long Term Consequences:The long term consequences to trust are profound as people become aware of the mistreatment of some and the enrichment of others in clan influenced and seemingly closed system courts (
It is an example but its wider applicability is still unknown.). In our learning example, it was found that not only were major rights violated but that whistleblowers were reasonably accurate and those who we pay to protect society failed to protect current and future victims (
not representing the majority). In any organization one must walk the talk and that is no different for systems as well. Their ultimate stakeholder are the general will of the people but sometimes other factors get involved and the pressures and perceptions of the time create new stakeholders (
i.e. the clan, or a party, or an ethnocentric perception).
Trust in Courts Declines
Things We Can Do:
First, because people manage these systems we should not be electing judges and people in positions of authority on social networks, ideologies, race/religion or politics. Enhancing the system and strengthening it requires thoughtful insight that may not come from those socialized within a particular field, associate with those who can financially afford to go into those fields, and sometimes view the world the social and professional len's they have built over a lifetime (fish in fish bowl concept.
Benefits of Interdisciplinary Research) Judges should be elected on merit and their ability to interpret the laws as applied to all citizens of equal values (
Law is an instrument but Philosophy should be the guide). When they hold extreme bias and have provided years of blind eye protections to criminal elements due to social connections and misperceptions of "local" then we have an issue
(i.e. like a review of all cases indicate clear bias in outcomes.). Second, let us consider more formal checks and balances when issues arise where corruption and bias seem to be present so as to review decisions. That would include investigations into consistent poor outcomes or systemic mistreatment of non-locals. Third, when we think abound our systems and their trust level we should seek to improve where we can in order to maintain the root trust society needs succeed in the long run (
No real way of faking it. History is a cycle and society works on adaptive patterns. We adapt to environmental change and we thrive and if we do not we begin to decline. Simple enough concept repeated over and over in the history books.). There are clear differences between those who believe and those game our beliefs and giving benefit to the later could be a foreshadowing of the possibilities to come. The technicalities and misapplication/gamemanship of law being seen as more important than their purpose. Furthering community and national development is important.
A Few Resources:
Research and Reduction in Corruption
The Positives:
As with all hypthetical thought experience what we have learned is also important. We are going to write in a positive end but let us start looking at the positive things.
-Greater awareness of how systems can be easily misused when individuals and/or groups engage in corruption.
-First assumptions are rarely beneficial unless given some logical reflection
-Looking through various perspectives leads to geater insight into the totality of a problem.
-Begrudgingly the system begins to adjust due to necessity creating positive change and potentially reversing the trends of declining trust.
-Corruption seems to have an impact on overall social and economic health. There appears to be an association between challenging/removing corruption and increased community engagement, economic performance, and social development. This could be a sign that creating efficiency, effectiveness and moral purpose can be aligned.
*This is a hypothetical philosophical learning example designed to explore how hate and corruption can impact economic and social outcomes. The connection between corruption and mismanagement is clear but also should look at safeguard against corruption by looking at some of the potential causes and how that corruption may function. Since this is a learning example for discussion purposes feel free to leave a comment. We will write a positive ending so don't take anything as definitive by nature. Where education and awareness arise, there is often improvement in systems; except in the worst situation and that is a choice.
