#376 — How Democracies Fail
Making Sense with Sam Harris
00:00
The Danger of Kleptocracy in Politics and Society
Kleptocracy, where leaders use political power to enrich themselves, leads to a decline in a country's unique characteristics, rights, and freedoms. It is often followed by autocracy. The presence of kleptocracy triggers movements for transparency, anti-corruption, and justice, prompting leadership to enforce secrecy, dismantle oversight mechanisms, and weaken the judicial system. This progression was evident in Ukraine until the Maidan Revolution in 2014, which halted the country's descent into dictatorship. When leaders prioritize personal gain over the betterment of the nation, it alters the political system and the country's essence, eventually leading to a disregard for defending democratic values and international interests.
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