The Systemic Forces of Corruption

The relationship between politicians and corporations is not just a case of occasional backroom deals or individual moral failings—it is a deeply entrenched system designed to serve the interests of power and capital. This corruption operates through well-established mechanisms such as lobbying, campaign financing, regulatory capture, and the revolving door between government and industry. At its core, this is a system that prioritizes profits and political power over public welfare, and it manifests differently in the United States and Europe.

The Machinery of Corruption

1. Lobbying: The Legalized Bribery

Lobbying is often portrayed as a legitimate way for industries to inform policymakers, but in practice, it serves as a multi-billion-dollar mechanism for corporations to buy influence. In the United States, lobbying is deeply embedded in the political system, with industries like Big Pharma, Big Oil, and Big Tech, and Big Defence spending massive sums to shape policy. In Europe, lobbying is also present, particularly in Brussels, where the European Union is headquartered, but there are stricter transparency laws and regulations. However, corporate lobbying still wields significant influence over EU directives and national governments, particularly in countries like Germany, France, and the UK.

2. Campaign Financing: The Price of Political Favor

Elections require vast amounts of money, and corporations and billionaires are more than willing to fund political campaigns in exchange for favorable policies. In the U.S., Supreme Court decisions such as Citizens United v. FEC have made it legal for corporations to spend unlimited amounts of money in elections, ensuring that politicians are financially dependent on wealthy donors rather than their constituents. In Europe, many countries have stricter regulations on campaign financing, including limits on corporate donations and public funding for political parties. However, scandals such as the Qatargate bribery allegations within the European Parliament show that corporate influence remains a serious issue.

3. Regulatory Capture: When Watchdogs Become Lapdogs

Regulatory agencies are supposed to oversee industries and protect the public, but in many cases, they end up serving the very corporations they are meant to regulate. This phenomenon, known as regulatory capture, occurs when corporations influence regulatory bodies by installing industry-friendly officials, funding misleading research, or exploiting loopholes. In the U.S., the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) have often been criticized for being too close to the industries they regulate. In Europe, agencies such as the European Medicines Agency (EMA) and the European Central Bank (ECB) have faced similar criticisms, particularly regarding their relationships with pharmaceutical companies and financial institutions.

4. The Revolving Door: Trading Public Office for Private Gain

A striking pattern in modern politics is the “revolving door” between government and the private sector. High-ranking government officials often leave public service to take lucrative positions in the industries they once regulated. Conversely, corporate executives frequently transition into government roles where they shape policies that benefit their former (and likely future) employers. This cycle ensures that laws and regulations are written by people with deep ties to corporate interests rather than by neutral public servants. In the U.S., this is a well-documented issue, particularly within the defense and financial sectors. In Europe, former EU Commissioners and national leaders have been criticized for moving into corporate boardrooms, as seen with ex-politicians like José Manuel Barroso, who took a senior role at Goldman Sachs after leading the European Commission.

The Psychological and Societal Drivers of Corruption

Corruption is not just a structural issue—it is also a psychological and societal one. Politicians and corporate executives operate in environments where power and money reinforce each other. Once inside the system, individuals often rationalize unethical behavior as necessary for success. The public, meanwhile, is conditioned to accept corruption as inevitable, either through apathy, media manipulation, or cynicism. The mainstream media—often controlled by the same corporate interests that benefit from corruption—frequently downplays or distracts from systemic corruption, instead framing it as isolated incidents of “bad apples.”

A Transatlantic Perspective on Corruption

While corruption exists worldwide, its forms and intensity vary between the U.S. and Europe.

• In Scandinavian countries, strong transparency laws and public financing of elections reduce the grip of corporate money.
• In the U.S., lobbying and campaign financing laws create a system where big money dictates policy decisions.
• In the UK, corporate donations to political parties have sparked controversies, especially regarding foreign influence in elections.
• In Southern Europe, countries like Italy and Greece have struggled with political graft and favoritism, often exacerbated by weak judicial enforcement.
• The European Union as a whole has faced scrutiny over lobbying in Brussels, where industries push to shape trade policies and regulations.

Can the System Be Fixed?

Fixing this corrupt system requires massive structural change, but the incentives for those in power make reform difficult. Possible solutions include:

• Publicly funded elections to eliminate corporate influence on campaign financing.
• Stronger anti-lobbying laws to prevent corporations from directly shaping policy.
• Independent regulatory agencies with transparent appointment processes.
• Strict conflict-of-interest laws to prevent the revolving door between government and industry.
• Greater transparency in corporate and political dealings, including open records and whistleblower protections.

In Europe, stronger enforcement of existing regulations could curb corruption, while in the U.S., significant legislative changes would be required to dismantle corporate influence over politics.

Corruption is not an accident—it is a feature of a system designed to concentrate wealth and power.

While individual politicians and executives may be called out, the broader structure remains intact, ensuring that new figures will always rise to replace the old ones. Only by recognizing corruption as systemic rather than anecdotal can societies begin to challenge and dismantle it.

The question remains: will people in 2025 onwards remain passive, or will they demand a political and economic system that truly serves the public interest?