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How the West Supports Kleptocrats and Corruption: Endangering Our Democracy

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Published in The Enablers: How The West Supports Kleptocrats And Corruption Endangering Our Democracy

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Kleptocracy is a form of government in which the ruling class uses its power to steal from the public purse and enrich themselves. Corruption is a broader term that refers to the abuse of power for personal gain. Both kleptocracy and corruption are serious problems that can have a devastating impact on a country's development and stability.

The Enablers: How the West Supports Kleptocrats and Corruption - Endangering Our Democracy

by Frank Vogl

4.7 out of 5

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The West has long been accused of supporting kleptocrats and corruption. This support takes many forms, including:

Providing financial secrecy
Facilitating money laundering
Blocking sanctions against kleptocrats
Failing to protect whistleblowers

Financial secrecy allows kleptocrats to hide their stolen assets from law enforcement and the public. Money laundering is the process of disguising the origins of illegally obtained money. Sanctions are economic penalties that can be used to punish kleptocrats and deter them from continuing their corrupt activities. Whistleblowers are people who report corruption and other wrongng. They often face reprisals, including threats, violence, and imprisonment.

The West's support for kleptocrats and corruption has a number of negative consequences. It:

Undermines democracy
Perverts the rule of law
Increases poverty and inequality
Destabilizes countries

Democracy is based on the principle of accountability. When kleptocrats are allowed to get away with their crimes, it erodes public trust in the government and the rule of law. Corruption also perverts the rule of law, as it allows criminals to escape justice. This can lead to a vicious cycle of corruption and impunity, which can be very difficult to break.

Corruption also increases poverty and inequality. When kleptocrats steal from the public purse, it reduces the amount of money available for essential services such as education, healthcare, and infrastructure. This can have a devastating impact on the poor and vulnerable. Corruption also creates a culture of impunity, which can make it difficult for businesses to operate and compete fairly.

Finally, corruption can destabilize countries. When governments are perceived as corrupt, it can lead to social unrest and even violence. This can have a ripple effect, destabilizing the entire region.

The West has a responsibility to stop supporting kleptocrats and corruption. This can be done by:

Cracking down on financial secrecy
Strengthening anti-money laundering laws
Imposing sanctions on kleptocrats
Protecting whistleblowers

By taking these steps, the West can help to promote democracy, the rule of law, and sustainable development around the world.

Case Studies

The following are some examples of how the West has supported kleptocrats and corruption:

The United States and the Marcos family

The Marcos family ruled the Philippines for over two decades, during which time they amassed a fortune estimated at $10 billion. Much of this money was stolen from the Philippine government and people. The Marcos family fled to the United States after their downfall in 1986, and they continued to live there until they were extradited to the Philippines in 1995. The United States government has never fully investigated the Marcos family's corruption, and they have been allowed to keep their stolen assets.

The United Kingdom and the Abacha family

The Abacha family ruled Nigeria for five years, during which time they amassed a fortune estimated at $5 billion. Much of this money was stolen from the Nigerian government and people. The Abacha family fled to the United Kingdom after their downfall in 1998, and they continued to live there until their extradition to Nigeria in 2004. The United Kingdom government has never fully investigated the Abacha family's corruption, and they have been allowed to keep some of their stolen assets.

Switzerland and the Mubarak family

The Mubarak family ruled Egypt for 30 years, during which time they amassed a fortune estimated at $70 billion. Much of this money was stolen from the Egyptian government and people. The Mubarak family fled to Switzerland after their downfall in 2011, and they continue to live there today. The Swiss government has never fully investigated the Mubarak family's corruption, and they have been allowed to keep their stolen assets.

The West's support for kleptocrats and corruption is a serious problem that has a number of negative consequences. It undermines democracy, perverts the rule of law, increases poverty and inequality, and destabilizes countries. The West has a responsibility to stop supporting kleptocrats and corruption, and it can do so by cracking down on financial secrecy, strengthening anti-money laundering laws, imposing sanctions on kleptocrats, and protecting whistleblowers.

By taking these steps, the West can help to promote democracy, the rule of law, and sustainable development around the world.

The Enablers: How the West Supports Kleptocrats and Corruption - Endangering Our Democracy

by Frank Vogl

4.7 out of 5