The quote suggests that corruption which is openly visible but often ignored or overlooked poses a significant danger to democratic systems. This implies that when people see signs of corrupt behavior in their government and society but fail to address them, these issues can grow larger over time, undermining the integrity and fairness of democracy.
To delve deeper into this statement, it highlights the insidious nature of corruption that thrives on public apathy and complacency. When corrupt practices are evident yet go unchallenged or unpunished, they erode public trust in governmental institutions and processes. This erosion can lead to a gradual but steady decline in democratic values such as transparency, accountability, and the rule of law. Furthermore, it suggests that the true threat lies not just in overt acts of corruption, but in the societal acceptance and tolerance of these acts when they are visible and known.
Zephyr Teachout is an American legal scholar, political activist, and academic who has extensively written about the intersection of corporate power and politics. She teaches at Fordham University Law School and is well-known for her work on corruption in governance and its impact on democracy. Her insights often focus on how structural flaws in political systems can enable corrupt practices to flourish unchecked.
