WHY "GOVERNMENT" SYSTEMS FAIL

WHY "GOVERNMENT" SYSTEMS FAIL AND CORRUPTION THRIVES

WHY THE POLITICIANS DOESN'T CARE WHO IS ELECTED

November 2024 by Enes Yaman

Governments often pledge to serve the people, but as systems, they often end up serving themselves. Politicians find it easier to enrich their own lives than to tackle societal issues, and improve people's lives. It’s a cycle where corruption sustains power structures, and the people pay the bill. This pattern reveals itself worldwide, showing how government structures and incentives may be permanently flawed.

Corruption, by its very nature, is structured to self-preserve, constantly regenerating and adapting to sustain its influence. In governments worldwide, especially those with authoritarian leanings, corruption acts like a virus embedded in the DNA of the system, camouflaging itself as governance and growth. To truly understand corruption, it’s essential to examine the underlying structures, the deliberate narratives, and the dependency loops that keep it alive.

The Cyclical Trap of Corruption and The Support of Immigration:

At the heart of this problem is a system that sustains itself on borrowed time and resources. Politicians and congress, know that in their lifetimes, they don’t need to build a legacy for future generations and they don’t need to make substantial progress. Once politicians hold office, they often remain well-off regardless of their effectiveness. Instead, they operate on the short-sighted belief that they only have one life, so why not make it luxurious?

They realize they don’t need to build a better society to live comfortably and that economic disparities between countries fuel a perpetual cycle where immigrants come to wealthier nations, filling roles within their workforce, while citizens who can afford to escape may retire abroad. Earning a comfortable salary (even when they retire) and amassing wealth through insider trading and corporate connections, government officials, politicians (including the opposition parties who get funding from the government treasury) and congress, gain public loyalty without consequence. Nancy Pelosi, the former Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives, has been openly multiplying her wealth with insider trading. While insider trading is illegal, Pelosi and many others, have faced no charges, raising concerns about the accountability of elected officials. In this system, it’s beneficial to become a politician, supported by uneducated partisans who serve as advocates to political parties, allowing those in power to maintain their status without delivering meaningful change.

This pattern is exacerbated in lower-education countries, where high birth rates ensure a steady supply of workers. By encouraging worker immigration from poorer nations, economically better countries perpetuate an endless cycle: low-quality life for the working class, lower-wage workers filling in, and politicians benefiting on both ends. The global labor system provides the following model; Countries with better wages can rely on countries with poorer economies to supply them with cheap labor. Immigrants move to wealthier nations, often under harsh conditions, to escape the poverty of their homelands. Politicians, understanding this flow see no need to improve local living standards, as a steady supply of immigrants ensures they have the workforce they need without making internal changes. These workers become the lifeblood of economies that feed off a system of disparity, with the ultimate beneficiaries being the powerful elite. Therefore, politicians and congressmen focus on short-term gains, borrowing from future generations to maintain their status. Consequently, corruption becomes a tempting shortcut, and they borrow wealth from the future to fund their present. The result? Many nations remain stagnant or in decline while the wealthy get richer, the poor suffer, and working-class citizens bear the weight of corruption

In Germany, immigration and corruption are often discussed together, especially in the context of resource allocation and social systems. As of 2023, Germany hosts over 12 million immigrants, accounting for 14.7% of its population. Immigration has placed pressure on housing, employment, and social services, which some argue has exacerbated corruption within the system. Government resources allocated for integration are sometimes misused by intermediaries or organizations claiming to aid immigrants. The cycle of corruption includes practices such as overpriced contracts for immigrant housing or “ghost” welfare payments to fictitious claimants. This cycle is difficult to break, as the same networks advocating for anti-corruption policies often benefit from the existing system.

The Illusion of Political Choice:

The so-called “democratic choice” in politics often boils down to two major parties, both profiting from the same system. The opposition may look different, but they often align in one key way: protecting the government system itself and feeding from government treasury. This system, filled with entrenched bureaucrats and career politicians, thrives by keeping the public focused on the superficial act of voting, while the real issues—wealth transfer, tax burdens, and policy manipulation and many others—remain unchanged. This form of governance reflects the deceptive nature of democracy, where the illusion of choice distracts from the underlying manipulation.

In Turkey, political choice has been limited for over two decades. AKP led by Erdogan, and the main opposition, the CHP have been the two central players. While the AKP has dominated, there have been long-standing rumors that certain CHP members possess considerable wealth, which hampers their opposition to the AKP. Both parties are complicit in sustaining a status quo where real change is nearly impossible, giving the public the illusion of democratic choice but without meaningful alternatives. This dual-party monopoly and the financial ties of key opposition members contribute to political stagnation.

This setup creates a deeply unfair reality where those inside the system can profit, and those outside it are forced to watch or fall in line. This isn't just a problem in poorer countries; even advanced societies witness a version of this corruption through lobbying, crony capitalism, and insider trading. In each case, politicians and their allies find ways to benefit at the public’s expense.

Corruption in Government Roles and Hiring Processes:

One of the core challenges to reform lies within the hiring processes of government positions themselves. These processes lack transparency, allowing those in power to fill roles with loyalists, family members, or others who serve their interests, creating a network of mutually protective individuals. In some countries, key government positions are routinely filled by relatives of political leaders, as seen recently in Lebanon, Turkey, and the U.S. the practice of filling roles through connections rather than merit. This perpetuates a feudal-like system where governance is dominated by family and loyalty, stifling innovation and reform.

This institutionalized nepotism and cronyism ensures that politicians and their allies retain control and wealth, discouraging newcomers from challenging the status quo. Hiring and appointments become tools for reinforcing existing power structures, turning the government into an exclusive club especially the congress and key political party and government roles.

How Justice System Supports Corruption and Wealth Transfer:

With such corruption embedded within the government, the justice system too falls prey to the influence of wealth. Judges may accept and indeed does, bribes or face pressure to rule in favor of those with powerful connections. Numerous reports indicate corruption in Turkey's judiciary, where allegations of bribes for favorable rulings have surfaced frequently. Independent journalists has reported cases where judges allegedly accepted payments to influence case outcomes or release high-profile defendants. Additionally, most of the current judges were appointed during a period when Erdogan’s administration allegedly facilitated exam cheating with the help of the Gulen movement(a spying & terrorist organization), allowing affiliated candidates to secure judicial positions. These dynamics raise serious questions about impartiality and the influence of wealth in Turkey’s judicial system. Here, the very institution meant to uphold fairness becomes a tool of the corrupt system.

Justice becomes another facet of the government, only able to be corrected if the entire system were dismantled. Meanwhile, taxpayers, especially the poorest, pay the price for this pervasive corruption. In some wealthier, democratic nations, organizations that fail to innovate fall to those that do. But in countries lacking education and innovation, like Turkey, these systems stagnate as people feel they must support a government in order for jobs to exist so that they can make a living. Thus, they work in private sector dominated by elite capital, leaving little room for reform and innovation.

Dependency on Jobs for Security, An Illusion:

Further complicating this is the illusion of job security in corrupt systems. Many people in these countries equate jobs with survival, not innovation. In countries with limited economic opportunities, and low quality education government jobs represent a lifeline. The government positions itself as a benevolent provider, making it difficult for people to imagine life without its flawed structure.

Speaking out against the government becomes an unthinkable risk as it could jeopardize one’s livelihood. For instance, in Erdogan's administration alone, many people lost their jobs and sent to prison in Turkey. Several prominent journalists and academics in Turkey have faced termination for criticizing Erdogan and his administration. A notable example includes Can Dundar, a journalist who was targeted after publishing a story about Turkish intelligence allegedly supplying weapons to Syrian fighters. Dundar and othrs like him faced job loss, legal persecution, and exile, illustrating how job security can be threatened for those who oppose or even speak against the current administration or government. I, myself, have been taking into questioning by the police force just because I hold a sign on the street, that said "Resign Ozgur Ozel" (the current leader of the major opposition party, CHP)which is not against the constitution.

This dependency on government positions creates a societal structure where silence becomes an unspoken rule and dissent is discouraged. When job security is synonymous with survival, corruption can thrive unchallenged. Those in power understand that economic dependency translates into political control, a concept historically exploited in many authoritarian regimes. The job becomes not only a source of income but also a way of ensuring compliance, dampening any desire to question or oppose the system. This dynamic illustrates how economic and political stability are sacrificed for the illusion of security, locking individuals and communities into a cycle that fortifies corruption. This fear-based dependency feeds the cycle of corruption as people sacrifice long-term development for short-term survival.

Role of Media, Economists, and Controlled Narratives:

Compounding the problem is a media landscape often more concerned with profits and power than with truth. Big media, closely tied to corporate and political interests, distracts the public with sensational stories rather than addressing deep-rooted systemic issues. And as social media grows, corrupt governments have adapted, hiring armies of fake accounts to spread false narratives and protect the powerful.

One of the primary tools for sustaining corrupt governance is economic manipulation, often masked by the illusions of prosperity. Economists and "experts" contribute to this system by writing to serve their own financial interests. Many economists have side contracts that influence their published work, hiding conflicts of interest and misguiding the public. Even in societies with higher education levels, corruption can hide behind the guise of economic stability. Governments often use economists and financial experts to broadcast a narrative of growth and prosperity, creating a smokescreen that prevents the public from recognizing structural issues.

In the early 2000s, respected economists like Frederic Mishkin and Richard Portes praised Iceland’s banking system as stable and efficient. Their work, influenced by payment from Iceland’s Chamber of Commerce, created a false sense of security. Not long after, Iceland’s major banks collapsed, revealing the illusion and leaving everyday Icelanders to pick up the pieces of a shattered economy. This failure to disclose conflicts of interest and the willingness of economists to serve political or financial interests is a classic example of how corruption is often embedded in economic policy and public trust. Such economic myths are not unique to Iceland. Similar scenarios play out worldwide as governments employ experts to bolster their agendas. By creating a false sense of security, because their agenda is paid by the tax-payers, they obscure the fragility of the systems they control, delaying reform and amplifying the fallout when reality finally surfaces.

Education as a Tool for Control and Sustain Corrupt Government System:

Countries with high corruption rates often retain power by controlling two elements: education and employment. When education focuses more on memorizing facts than on critical thinking, future generations grow up to fill the same roles and follow the same rules. In countries with lower education levels, corruption finds ways to permeate every part of society. Education becomes a tool for preserving the system rather than liberating minds. It becomes less about cultivating critical thinkers and more about enforcing obedience.

In Turkey, reforms have shifted education to emphasize religious teachings over critical thinking, reflecting a government agenda focused on shaping loyalty rather than critical analysis. Systems based on rote memorization leave little room for citizens to question authority or consider alternative structures. With limited access to education, there is often a corresponding lack of critical thinking, a gap that the government fills with convenient narratives that explain economic instability or social unrest as temporary setbacks in the grander scheme of progress. These explanations are simplified to avoid inspection, and any dissenting voice can be dismissed as unpatriotic or even treasonous. In this way, corruption not only survives but thrives, woven into the very fabric of a community’s worldview.

Without a framework for critical analysis, citizens become more likely to accept government narratives and are less likely to question the system that they are paying for. When wealth is concentrated in the hands of a few families with longstanding ties to the government, jobs and opportunities become privileges given out by the wealthy. In these societies, if you question the government, you risk your livelihood and social standing. As the education system deteriorates, future generations grow up to accept the world as it is, chained to the same systems that benefit the elite. Without a culture of questioning, the corrupt maintain control over future generations, using education as a means to perpetuate wealth transfer and power.

Religion and Government: Mutual Preservation:

Religion, too, plays a powerful role in maintaining this system. Religious organizations align themselves with the government, advocating obedience among their followers. Also, religious entities often get paychecks from the government treasury. In Germany, if you are registered to church they deduct from your paychecks. In Turkey, religious entities receive millions of dollars from government treasury. This dynamic serves the government by creating another layer of control over the populace.

When citizens are taught that life on Earth is merely a test and that ultimate rewards lie in the afterlife, there’s little incentive to improve conditions for future generations. This mindset, ingrained through politics and religious beliefs, effectively undermines any long-term vision for society. When politicians and governments continually borrow against the future, they fail to build a sustainable society. They waste resources, weaken the environment and borrowing from future generations without guilt. Religion, thus, becomes both a shield and a weapon, used to pacify the public and protect those in power. The focus shifts from societal betterment to individual salvation, allowing corrupt systems to continue unchecked, borrowing from the future with little regard for long-term sustainability.

Corporate Power, Corruption and Congress:

The COVID-19 vaccine was developed by just four major corporations: Pfizer, Merck, GlaxoSmithKline, and Sanofi. Collectively, these companies have paid over $35 billion in fines for penalties and fraud-related offenses. Despite this, they continue to operate with the support of government officials, including those in Congress, who ensure these corporations can maintain their dominance. This creates a dangerous cycle where power and profit take precedence over human lives.

A striking example of this corruption is Merck’s Vioxx, a widely prescribed painkiller that was later found to cause heart attacks, leading to the deaths of an estimated 120,000 to 500,000 people. Merck paid nearly a billion dollars in fine for the scandal, yet no executives were jailed, and the company continues to operate without consequence. Even more concerning is the fact that, in the U.S., vaccine manufacturers are shielded from legal action. A law passed by Congress in 1986 made it illegal to sue vaccine companies, effectively removing accountability for any harm caused by their products. This is just one example of how a corrupt system continues to protect corporations at the expense of public safety to simply benefit congress and politicians wealth.

The U.S. Constitution and Second Amendment: Freedom or Hindrance?

In the United States, the Constitution and Second Amendment guarantee citizens certain freedoms, including the right to bear arms—a measure intended to protect against tyranny. However, individualism in the U.S. makes it difficult to unite against systemic corruption, as each person pursues their own vision of freedom rather than a collective purpose. The cultural emphasis on individual rights, while protective, paradoxically divides people. Although the Second Amendment theoretically safeguards the people’s ability to resist government corruption, a deeply ingrained individualism has, in many ways, stifled unified action against systemic injustices. Instead of dismantling corrupt systems, people are encouraged to rely on personal liberties, often leading them to prioritize their individual interests over societal change.

The Illusion of Stability in Advanced Nations:

Individualism’s prominence in the U.S. creates an illusion of stability, where citizens believe voting or advocating for minor reforms will bring change, all while the system remains intact. Every election cycle offers a chance to alter the administration, yet corruption thrives within the branches of government that don’t face direct electoral consequences. In nations where individualism overrides collective responsibility, the people can be placated with surface-level changes, while corruption persists behind the scenes.

Why the System Resists Change:

In societies with low quality education where the government and corporate power are deeply intertwined, innovation is stifled. Corruption acts as a barrier to progress, as those in power see education and free thought as threats to their legacy. The hiring process for the key government roles and to congress, which prioritizes family ties or party loyalty, ensures that power remains in the same hands.

In countries like the United States, where freedom is theoretically protected by constitutional rights, the illusion of power transfer every few years keeps people placated. The deep-seated issues—lobbying, corruption, inherited positions in Congress, politicians that do not get any jail time, and corporate ties—remain largely untouchable. Citizens have minimal impact on government operations once elections are over, and instead of demanding accountability, they are given promises and propaganda. In some countries, the establishment even co-opts religion, creating a power loop where religious leaders support government initiatives in exchange for protection and influence. Citizens who believe "life’s true purpose lies beyond this world" may be less inclined to demand positive change now, allowing resources to be drained without resistance. Until people develop a long-term awareness of these structures and push for a change that transcends short election cycles, the same families, the same networks, will control the wealth and policy.

How Government Systems Divide and Distract the Public:

Government systems are structured to present a choice between different parties, each representing distinct political views. This setup creates an illusion of choice but, in reality, serves to divide people, turning them into advocates for politicians who may not act in the public’s best interests. Instead of uniting around common goals, people become entrenched in partisan loyalties, fiercely defending their chosen party. Each side sees itself as a guardian of truth, while politicians capitalize on this division to maintain power and avoid accountability.

Despite the differences in party platforms, the leaders at the top often share a common motivation: self-interest and power. However, as long as citizens remain divided, they overlook this shared corruption. The system feeds on division, distracting people from the real issues by encouraging them to argue over policy and rhetoric, while the deeper, systemic problems remain unaddressed.

In this way, the political divide ensures that citizens stay occupied with defending their “side,” while those in power—regardless of party—benefit from the loyalty and deflection of their supporters. Ultimately, this cycle of division prevents the kind of unity needed for meaningful change, allowing corruption to thrive across the political spectrum.

Corporate Greed and the Perils of "Taking Care of Your Own Life":

In societies where individual wealth and status take precedence, citizens may fall into the trap that is made up by the wealthy, “taking care of your own life” prioritizing personal enjoyment over societal responsibility. Corporate employees, trapped in jobs they’re afraid to leave, are often distracted by consumerism. Buying the latest product or flaunting a minor social status becomes the only relief in an otherwise unfulfilling cycle, further supporting the system by diverting attention from larger issues. This consumerism distracts people from questioning government and corporate interests, binding them to jobs as their primary purpose in life.

The Decline of Public Trust and the Rise of Citizen Journalism:

As trust in government-controlled narratives decrease, citizen journalism has emerged as a powerful counterforce. In the face of government censorship, people are increasingly turning to alternative platforms to report and share truths. Traditional journalism often suffers under the constraints of political alliances or economic pressures, leaving a void that citizen journalists attempt to fill. Elon Musk’s platform X has recently taken on the mantle of a modern citizen journalism tool. X has given ordinary people the ability to share real-time updates, expose lies, and challenge the narratives pushed by governments and big media companies. Individuals can bypass traditional media, which often aligns with government interests, to report on injustices and corruption. Musk’s approach marks a new era where the power of information rests less in traditional institutions and more in the hands of individuals.

Citizen journalism is both an opportunity and a risk. While it has democratized information, it also comes with challenges in verifying sources and maintaining accountability. For example, the corrupt governments and corporations still fight back, as seen in Turkey’s hiring of thousands of young people to spread disinformation online to preserve the status quo. They flood social media with misinformation to create confusion and diluting the truth because even these platforms aren’t immune to manipulation. Nevertheless, citizen journalism holds potential if people actively use it to unveil truths instead of getting lost in distractions. The people must take responsibility for using social media as a tool for exposing corruption—an endeavor that’s crucial in an age where traditional media often shields those in power. However, in less educated societies, like Turkey, citizen journalism can be even more challenging, as many people instinctively defer to “authority.” They might defend the government or police blindly, not realizing these institutions often serve primarily to protect the wealthy and powerful.

Importance of Whistle Blowers and Standing with Them:

Whistleblowing stands at the intersection of courage and consequence, serving as one of the most powerful tools for exposing corruption. Historically, whistleblowing has provided a necessary check on these systems, but only at tremendous personal cost. Wikileaks founder Julian Assange and whistleblowers like Edward Snowden have risked everything to expose government corruption and mass surveillance. Assange's and Chelsea Manning’s release of classified military information, exposing the horrors of war, including war logs and classified diplomatic communications, highlighted severe ethical breaches within powerful governments. Assange’s WikiLeaks platform, Snowden’s NSA revelations, and Manning’s military leaks all underline the lengths to which governments will go to keep their secrets. Despite the immense personal costs, these individuals symbolize the essential role of whistleblowers in challenging the status quo. Manning's exposure of corruption and wrongdoing won him no protection, but rather persecution. Snowden, who uncovered extensive government surveillance, became an exile. These whistleblowers reveal the reality behind government systems, but few protections exist for them.

Moving Forward with Purpose:

It’s clear that the "government" system doesn't benefit the tax-payers and the future generations. If societies are to truly progress, people need to foster purpose beyond material gain. People with an individual purpose—a sense of duty to country, to humanity, or to nature—can inspire real change.

Without purpose, job roles and wages become the end-all, allowing the system to use them as leverage, ultimately benefiting those in power. Ultimately, for corrupt systems to lose power, citizens must shift from passive trust to active questioning. They must demand real educational reform focused on critical thinking, support and become whistleblowers, hold the government accountable through independent means and never become advocates of any party or a politician. Citizen journalism and whistleblowing are one of the most promising tools available in our age. If governments are to rule, protected by the police force, media, corporations and religious entities, we need to raise awareness for these tools to see a future where governments truly serve the people rather than just serving themselves.