The Deep Roots of Corruption

Corruption in politics has a historical context that reveals how it has become normalized over time. The decline in enforcement of anti-corruption laws demonstrates a systemic acceptance where actions once deemed unacceptable have become standard practice. Examples such as the Supreme Court Justice Abe Fortas resigning over a relatively minor scandal highlight the cultural aversion to corruption in earlier decades, a stark contrast to today’s scandals that are often ignored or accepted. Throughout much of the 20th century, ineffective laws allowed corrupt practices to fester, illustrating a shift in both legal outcomes and public perception.