This archive report was first published on 3 September 2019.
The Distinction Between Corruption and the Swamp ¶
Donald Trump's 2016 campaign chant 'Drain the swamp' has become a metaphor for corruption in American politics, but it obscures the distinction between systems that invite corruption and individual acts of malfeasance.
Consider two scenarios: a local activist running for Congress who accepts donations from law firm partners and votes on legislation affecting their clients, and a president who owns a resort where foreign leaders meet, ignores subpoenas, and appoints industry lobbyists to key positions.
While both scenarios involve corruption, the key distinction lies in the systems that invite or encourage corruption, such as making legislators dependent on donors, versus individual acts of malfeasance where politicians choose to elevate private interests over the public interest.
Elizabeth Warren and Bernie Sanders have spoken about a 'rigged system' where Trumpian corruption is just one manifestation of the distortion of democracy by wealth. However, this narrative oversimplifies the issue and fails to acknowledge the distinction between systems that invite corruption and individual acts of malfeasance.
Mark Schmitt, director of the political reform program at New America, argues that the solution to corruption involves making it easier for candidates to run and be heard without relying on megadonors, such as through public financing that matches small contributions.
However, in an atmosphere where everyone in the system is perceived as corrupt, solutions that require expanding government and providing more support for politicians will be a hard sell. Mr. Trump has used his catchphrase to gut sources of independent expertise and analysis, further empowering lobbyists and the already powerful.
When corruption is perceived as universal, those in power can use investigations and allegations of corruption as a weapon, as seen in Brazil and by Mr. Trump's recent call for an investigation of former President Barack Obama.
Mark Schmitt (@mschmitt9) is the director of the political reform program at the research organization New America.
