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These stories of malfeasance by elected officials, where the representatives act so clearly against their office and the public good, present a conundrum. The c
by banku_brougham 9y ago
These stories of malfeasance by elected officials, where the representatives act so clearly against their office and the public good, present a conundrum. The campaign contributions even at a national level simply aren’t enough money to incentivize the given level of corruption.
I really want to know: what are the incentives? Are there secret payments?
I remember Alaska Senator Ted Stevens was convicted for receiving porch renovations, and his legislative actions were worth billions to the industry providing gifts in kind. It doesn’t make sense, perhaps we are not discovering the true payments.
- s73ver_ 9y agoJobs after you're done in office?
- azernik 9y agoFor the politician being bribed, the relevant calculus isn't the size of the service done for the briber - it's their perceived risk of discovery and punishment, which is already low enough before taking into account the human tendency to undervalue low-probability risks.
- banku_brougham 9y agoThis implies that the moral cost of corruption (knowing you are responsible for banrupting the city you represent for example) means absolutely nothing to the elected official.
- azernik 9y agoThere exist officials for whom that is true, even if that's not the norm.