State Capture

Written By Jonathan Milner

Definition

State capture is a type of systematic corruption whereby narrow interest groups take control of the institutions and processes through which public policy is made, directing public policy away from the public interest and instead shaping it to serve their own interests. This behavior was first observed during the first decade of transition in parts of the former Soviet Union and Eastern Europe. The captors of the state were business people, soon to be known as ‘oligarchs’, who purchased influence over policy formation through direct kickbacks or promises of favors, using personal connections to the individuals and parties holding political power. In the past 10-15 years, the concept of state capture has been used to describe practices that have emerged in many more countries, including some that were once viewed as resilient democracies such as South Africa, Hungary, Turkey, Serbia and parts of Latin America. The individual leaders who engage in grand corruption are often referred to as ‘kleptocrats’, emphasizing that they rule through theft. Holding on to power becomes important to such leaders not only to retain access to opportunities for theft, but also to lock in the privilege of impunity—since if they or their allies were ousted, they would become far more exposed to prosecution. With the return of the Trump administration, and the advent of an unelected and unconfirmed power center of government controlled by Elon Musk, some experts worry that the U.S. is now in the midst of state capture.

 
 

Questions

  1. Translate state capture into plain English.

  2. When does state capture occur?

  3. Who does state capture benefit?

  4. What are some countries that have fallen prey to state capture?

  5. Is the United States currently in the midst of state capture?

  6. How do you think the Framers would think about state capture?

  7. Was it state capture when Elon Musk and his henchmen got the passwords to the U.S. Treasury Department payments system; closed down U.S.A.I.D; illegally broke into a secure facility over a weekend, hijacked sensitive data on vulnerable people and U.S. businesses, destroyed property Americans paid for, cut off resources for sick and hungry families and fired Americans across the country?

  8. What emoji does the best job of representing the meaning of state capture?

Remember!

Now, let’s commit this term to our long-term memory. On a scrap piece of paper, take 10 or 20 seconds to draw state capture! Draw with symbols or stick figures if you wish. Nothing fancy. Don’t expect a masterpiece. No one else will see this but you. Look at your drawing. That’s all - now it’s downloaded into your memory. Destroy the piece of paper in a most delightful way.

Civics and AP Government Glossary

Jonathan Milner

Civics Maven!

https://www.gopopro.com/
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