Would this still be true if corruption wasn't so rampant (Gilded Age 2) right now? Am I wearing rose colored glasses, or are there other times in history here

Would this still be true if corruption wasn't so rampant (Gilded Age 2) right now? Am I wearing rose colored glasses, or are there other times in history here and in other places, where the rule of law was either worshipped or feared by everyone enough to stamp out bad actors, or at least seek to, across parties? Has it really _always_ just been kayfabe[1] and no moral rules apply if I don't get caught? 1:https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kayfabe https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kayfabe