Corrupt world 101611

There is a new popular movement garnering media attention.  Originally it was tagged as the Occupy Wall Street (OWS) movement but as it quickly spread around the world by many names.  Movements have a couple common threads: people are unhappy with their condition; and they blame the corruption of the rich, powerful, banks, politicians, etc.

With little organization and so many targets there is a real danger that the movements will fail to score hits on the central cause of their fury.  The causation is not banks, politician or the wealthy it is systemic global corruption.  Ethics, integrity and honor have been eroded to the point that corruption has become the societal norm.

It is easy to understand corruption as a bribe for an immediate act that benefits the individual, like a small “gift” to the official that stamps passports.  Modern corruption however is much more subtle and pervasive.

An otherwise honest policeman becomes corrupt when he fails to report criminal police acts.  Other honest cops become corrupt when they punish one that breaks the protective blue wall of silence.  A national leader openly lies to the electorate and publicly brags about getting away with it, sends a clear message that un-ethical behavior is not only condoned but rewarded.  Scholars that exploit and plagiarize the work of students teach more than their subject.  Dealers that sell hurricane immersed cars as new.  Auto and oil industry giants who destroy public transport.  MBAs that sell personal their gain as good for the consumer and company. The entire marketing industry that sells dreams instead of reality.  Corporations that dump failed pharmaceuticals in foreign lands or toxic waste near playgrounds.  Brokers and businesses that manipulate numbers to deceive.  Extreme cover-ups to prevent exposing embarrassing conduct or incompetence. Adult’s that teach kids to beg and encourages bad behavior trains the next corrupt generation.

Ethical behavior is the victim of personal and corporate greed.  Bureaucrats seek larger staff and bigger budgets for promotion and fail to oversea public good.  Corporations, brokerage houses and banks freed of oversight focus on bottom line profits for larger bonuses.  When financial corruption topple houses of paper profits, bankers scream for public money to save them while not exposing their fiscal irresponsibility.  Corrupt legislation rewards self-serving incompetence with public money.  Banks are saved; bankers pocket profits and the streets acquire more homeless.

The worst corruption of all is when movements become captive of corrupt leadership. Fragmentation and self-interest are already corrupting the much-heralded Arab spring revolutions of a couple months ago.  Unions become victims of the same dynamic when collectives to protect the workers are corrupted to serving only leadership interests not the membership.

It is probable that OWS will fall victim to its success as power potential is seen as a gateway to corporate and personal profit.  Shake hands but count your fingers.