Ep44. Part 1: Are Corruption and Kleptocracy at the very heart of the Enduring Disorder?
Jun 4, 2024
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Award-winning investigative journalist Tom Burgis joins the host to dissect how corruption and kleptocracy thrive in today's global disorder. They delve into the role of London and Washington laws in enabling illicit behavior, explore the risks of transnational corruption, and discuss the central nature of corruption in shaping politics and security. The conversation uncovers the systemic impact of dirty dealings and the offshoring of illicit gains, shedding light on the depths of corruption within the global economy.
Corruption is central to the global disorder, not just a peripheral issue.
Fixers play a crucial role in enabling corrupt practices with plausible deniability.
Telecom industry's natural monopoly enables elites to exploit and wield power.
Deep dives
Corruption lies at the heart of global disorder
Corruption is not a peripheral issue but lies at the core of global disorder. The podcast delves into how corruption, kleptocracy, tax havens, and the recycling of stolen cash are essential elements in understanding the enduring disorder of our world.
Corruption and the influence of fixers in corrupt transactions
The podcast sheds light on the role of fixers in corrupt dealings, acting as intermediaries between Western capital and kleptocratic power. Fixers enable corrupt practices with plausible deniability on both sides, facilitating illicit gains discreetly.
The significance of telecoms as a channel for corruption
Telecoms industry, often seen as a gateway to freedom and connectivity in developing countries, also harbors corrupt practices. The natural monopoly nature of telecoms infrastructure enables opportunistic elites to exploit the system and wield power over multinational companies.
Public outrage as a deterrent against corruption
Despite corrupt practices in high places, public outrage and societal values of fairness and justice serve as a deterrent against widespread corruption. The broader societal rejection of corruption fosters a debate for systemic change and stronger regulations.
Hope for curbing corruption through regulation
Regulations like the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act and equivalent legislations in Western countries have been instrumental in exposing and punishing corrupt behavior. While challenges persist, there is optimism in giving regulators more resources to combat corruption effectively.
Corruption, in one form or another, is as old as civilization. As long as there have been governmental authorities, private businesspeople have found ways to bribe them to get preferential deals. So, what is different about corruption in our era of Global Enduring Disorder?
To find out, Jason Pack is joined by Tom Burgis -- award winning investigative journalist, and author of Cuckooland: Where the Rich Own the Truth. In this episode (Part 1 of 2), the duo discuss how laws and decisions in the City of London and Washington, DC actually enable kleptocratic behaviour in places like Nigeria and Kazakhstan. Plus: why are skilled middlemen and fixers so critical in enabling transnational corruption? And what kind of systemic risks do such dirty dealings abroad and the offshoring of illicit gains pose to our own politics and security?
To Order the Disorder, Alex Hall Hall joins Jason to analyse how the conduits of mega corruption is actually at the centre of our post-Cold War global story, and not at its periphery.
Read the New Stateman’s, ‘Britain’s new oligarchy - Tom Burgis’s Cuckooland shows how the power to shape our politics is available to the highest bidder.’ https://www.newstatesman.com/culture/books/book-of-the-day/2024/03/britain-new-oligarchy-tom-burgis-cuckooland