A Learning Story: Justice Defaults and the Early Signs of Decay
 |
The voice of reason is
often ignored or suppressed
in clans. |
Let us continue our learning story—one that explores how a failure in justice can serve as an early warning sign of social decay, a pattern that, if left unchecked, may replicate itself elsewhere.
Most of us understand that corruption undermines society. We recognize that laws serve a purpose, and we acknowledge that people have historically sacrificed for higher ideals because they believed in liberty, fairness, and freedom. The Story of the Clan is a hypothetical, philosophical thought experiment meant to examine how justice defaults and social manipulation can erode democratic institutions. This is an exercise in learning, so take it with a grain of salt—because we will eventually write in an adaptive ending that shows how good people can still steer systems back to integrity.
The Rise of the Clan
History is filled with examples of societies fractured by ethnic, racial, religious, or political divisions. In our story, we refer to a group called the Clan—a network of individuals with outsized influence over local courts, employment, social life, and the justice system. Their power can be both direct and indirect, and its impact is wide-ranging—from harming children to isolating the elderly, affecting people across the spectrum of skin color and background.
The result? A culture of corruption in some circules that justifies the mistreatment of innocent people and erodes our most sacred social contracts. This localized power is akin to big fish swimming in a small fishbowl—insulated, entitled, and unchecked.
Who Are the Clan?
 |
Signs of poor group dynamics
start in youth when
socialization requirements are high
and carry on into adulthood
when learn and adapting
was long overdue.
|
The Clan is composed of everyday people—parents, officers, neighbors, teachers, coaches, public servants, and friends. They originated from childhood bonds and shared activities like sports, which eventually shaped their worldview. But here lies the risk: when core values are distorted by a few individuals with manipulative, narcissistic tendencies (commonly associated with dark triad traits), these views can become toxic and malignant.
Their limited perspectives—reinforced by social pressure—warp local institutions. Those who reject the Clan's rigid groupthink are quickly excluded (often a hidden blessing), and those who persist in defending their boundaries are met with hostility, bullying, and marginalization (what systems should not protect).
Though they appear ordinary, the Clan does not share the values of a diverse and inclusive society. Despite living among many different cultures and identities (e.g., Native American, Black, Hispanic, Asian, Jewish, Muslim, etc.), they exclude others and speak of them in terms that betray a sense of superiority. This early formation of exclusionary behavior—clannism—has been known throughout history to collapse societies where people are forced to conform or start new clans for security and acceptance (The danger of complicity).
Institutional Decay and Corruption
The Clan does not represent all of society, but they are rooted in an old framework of entitlement and control over institutions. In our example, this small group has undue influence over local courts and even some corrupted officers. The internal mechanisms for accountability are weak. Similar patterns have been observed in parts of the Deep South and other localities where justice was manipulated to uphold unwritten, discriminatory codes of conduct.
Most public officials and civil servants are good people. They should not be expected to work around or alongside those who represent regressive, divisive values. Such toxic environments disincentivize principled individuals and erode trust in institutions. The result is the best leave and the least qualified are promoted further eroding with a downward spiral of institutional development.
The Economic Impact of Clan Culture
Clan behavior doesn’t just damage justice systems—it also affects economic development. For example, one study suggests that the presence of clan culture can hurt export potential and limit expansion. In our example locality, the economy declined for two decades under the grip of clan influence. Only after this culture was challenged did the community see renewed growth. Clannism-Stay Home or Go Elseware
However, even partial reform doesn't eliminate the lingering impact of clannism. It continues to shape economic prospects—hurting not only the broader community but also the children of the Clan itself. The danger lies in the group’s reliance on symbolic, superficial judgments rather than critical thinking. Where clans thrive, systems often falter.
A measurable drop in corruption led to significant positive economic momentum. This illustrates how reducing clan influence can improve outcomes for everyone.
A Final Thought: The Purpose of Law and the Cost of Forgetting
Let’s consider broader implications. In some societies, unchecked clannism has deeply hampered progress. This is the worst-case scenario, but it's instructive. When we reward misbehavior, elevate the unqualified, or allow judges or other decision makers with technical legal knowledge—but no philosophical understanding of justice—to operate without oversight, we enable clannism to grow.
The result is a system that no longer serves its foundational values.
If we do not want this, we must not support it. If we know what values we should uphold, but fail to act on them, then we weaken the very institutions meant to protect us. Consider Political Economies of Corruption
Understanding the roots and repercussions of hate and corruption—through the lens of clannism—is essential for those who care, swear oaths and faith in the future of justice, democracy, and their society.
*This is a theoretical, philsophical, thought experiment so take with a grain of salt. We will write in a positive ending.
