Corruption and the common good: Eroding public trust
The corrupt behavior of certain powerful individuals constitutes an absurd and inhumane act against us all. The collusive, corrupt interplay between an oligarchic minority from the realms of politics and business systematically undermines the normative foundations of the democratic constitutional state.
Through the extractive misappropriation of public resources and the privatization of collective goods, the social capital of trust is eroded—a process that leads to a profound delegitimization of state institutions. I would like to focus my attention here on social justice.
The systemic intertwining of the particular interests of political and economic elites perpetuates socioeconomic inequalities to the detriment of the general public. This opportunistic behavior not only distorts market competition but also drains essential resources from the community, thereby severely stifling societal prosperity and social cohesion.
During the student protests of the 1960s and 1970s, many chanted: “Destroy what destroys you.“ Looking at recent events in France, this is understandable. Corruption by political and economic actors is not some minor, ethically trivial offense; rather, it is a structural pathology that dismantles the common good for the benefit of a minority. It transforms meritocratic systems into networks of patronage, thereby undermining the fundamental promise of social inclusion.
As for the Philippines, it must be said that corruption has become entrenched over decades—it has become as routine as having an egg for breakfast. However, that is not how it should be interpreted.
A doctor sometimes excises a cancerous tumor from the body—especially when it begins to metastasize—and the same principle applies in politics. Often, one must take up the scalpel to prevent something worse. That said, it must be remembered that violence is never a solution; it only begets further violence, rather than addressing the root causes of a conflict in a structural way. A dynamic of retaliation emerges, which hardens positions and makes future compromises impossible. In summary, violence is not a solution, as it forcibly suppresses symptoms rather than addressing structural root causes.
Consequently, it is up to the legislature to intervene and make it impossible for corruption to spread. Confiscated illicit assets must be returned to the public, and those convicted must be permanently excluded from political decision-making processes. This is what is meant by a “defensive democracy.” Let us not become another Weimar Republic—one that had no answer to the rise of the Nazis in 1933.
Jürgen Schöfer, Ph.D.,
