When I think of corruption in Canada not only do I wonder about the influence of foreign agencies in particular the CCP but I also wonder about all the tax dollars that government has delivered into the hands of FNs. They both concern me as the potential for corruption is huge and largely unexplored and unexposed. I can’t help but believe it exists though.
I would be surprised if there weren't unhealthy relationships of that kind.
Because of weak reporting regulations, there's simply no way to know how much money from foreign governments (Qatar, China, Iran...) is donated to Canadian universities. I'm pretty sure the people purchasing influence over U.S. universities haven't completely ignored our own institutions. And the strategic goals are probably similar.
I would equate corruption with the growth of leviathan in size and scope. The state has a monopoly in the use of force in society. We have moved from a government that was relatively permissive in allowing economic growth and cultural development to one that is obstructionist and culturally nihilistic reflecting the evolution of a complex of Orwellian named NGOs with incestuous links to the state and a necessity of cronyism in what remains of a market economy. Rent seeking has replaced competitive advantage in business schools as the level of statism now is roughly equal parts socialism and fascism. When the only free market is increasingly the underground economy, where else would the corruption meter go.
“Government is not reason; it is not eloquence. It is force. And force, like fire, is a dangerous servant and a fearful master.”―George Washington
It appears that your second comment went on to affirm your first one. No one is forced at gunpoint to engage with big tech. They don't (yet) run armies, courts and prisons although they are actively engaged writing legislation and regulation through lobbying and no doubt funding politicians so are well entangled in the dead and corrupt hand of the state.
A sobering but necessary article! I think that as Canadians, we generally don’t want to believe that we invite or are susceptible to corruption. And that keeps us from doing anything about it. We’re plugging our ears and covering our eyes.
This doesn't prove corruption. It merely indicates that people think it is happening more. Perception might "be reality" but that doesn't actually make it real.
The fact that many of the metrics related to misery in the anglosphere, including declining trust scores such as this, seem highly correlated with the growth in smartphones and social media really should make us act.
It's true that there's definitely some element of subjectivity here. And there does seem to be a correlation between Western habits (including screens and higher ed) and misery. But I wouldn't discount actual corruption. I often find myself feeling frustrated and helpless in the face of the kinds of serious systemic corruption documented by Sam Cooper...
I just don't think corruption is nearly as pervasive in the government as some folks like to think. We should be vigilant yes - but be critical not paranoid.
As for Sam Cooper, one should likely be as critical of the critics as they are of the critiqued.
Security camera "footage" from a movie. Settled libel lawsuits.
As for correlation vs causation, that is why I used the word. And to add, I see far more evidence for my claim than I do that corruption is pervasive in government (or for most corporations for that matter).
The concept also applies to the actual post. Don't let Confirmation Bias get you.
When I think of corruption in Canada not only do I wonder about the influence of foreign agencies in particular the CCP but I also wonder about all the tax dollars that government has delivered into the hands of FNs. They both concern me as the potential for corruption is huge and largely unexplored and unexposed. I can’t help but believe it exists though.
I would be surprised if there weren't unhealthy relationships of that kind.
Because of weak reporting regulations, there's simply no way to know how much money from foreign governments (Qatar, China, Iran...) is donated to Canadian universities. I'm pretty sure the people purchasing influence over U.S. universities haven't completely ignored our own institutions. And the strategic goals are probably similar.
I would equate corruption with the growth of leviathan in size and scope. The state has a monopoly in the use of force in society. We have moved from a government that was relatively permissive in allowing economic growth and cultural development to one that is obstructionist and culturally nihilistic reflecting the evolution of a complex of Orwellian named NGOs with incestuous links to the state and a necessity of cronyism in what remains of a market economy. Rent seeking has replaced competitive advantage in business schools as the level of statism now is roughly equal parts socialism and fascism. When the only free market is increasingly the underground economy, where else would the corruption meter go.
“Government is not reason; it is not eloquence. It is force. And force, like fire, is a dangerous servant and a fearful master.”―George Washington
Hyperbole is a great rhetorical tool, is it not?
And what about Big Tech, which are arguably about as powerful as nation states?
It appears that your second comment went on to affirm your first one. No one is forced at gunpoint to engage with big tech. They don't (yet) run armies, courts and prisons although they are actively engaged writing legislation and regulation through lobbying and no doubt funding politicians so are well entangled in the dead and corrupt hand of the state.
A sobering but necessary article! I think that as Canadians, we generally don’t want to believe that we invite or are susceptible to corruption. And that keeps us from doing anything about it. We’re plugging our ears and covering our eyes.
This doesn't prove corruption. It merely indicates that people think it is happening more. Perception might "be reality" but that doesn't actually make it real.
The fact that many of the metrics related to misery in the anglosphere, including declining trust scores such as this, seem highly correlated with the growth in smartphones and social media really should make us act.
It's true that there's definitely some element of subjectivity here. And there does seem to be a correlation between Western habits (including screens and higher ed) and misery. But I wouldn't discount actual corruption. I often find myself feeling frustrated and helpless in the face of the kinds of serious systemic corruption documented by Sam Cooper...
I just don't think corruption is nearly as pervasive in the government as some folks like to think. We should be vigilant yes - but be critical not paranoid.
As for Sam Cooper, one should likely be as critical of the critics as they are of the critiqued.
Security camera "footage" from a movie. Settled libel lawsuits.
https://voicesandbridges.org/the-dangers-of-speculative-journalism-a-case-study-on-sam-coopers-misreporting/
With respect to your first paragraph, please look up "Overton window"
With respect to your second paragraph, correlation is not causation.
Why do you mention the Overton Window here?
As for correlation vs causation, that is why I used the word. And to add, I see far more evidence for my claim than I do that corruption is pervasive in government (or for most corporations for that matter).
The concept also applies to the actual post. Don't let Confirmation Bias get you.
The Overton window suggests that political reality is bounded by public perception.
You suggested that the correlation should prompt us to act. I prefer to act on causation - evidence being safer ground.
I agree that confirmation bias is a thing.
Andre, are you saying that the perception of corruption is overblown?
And that taking action on smartphones and social* media will help that? That’s far easier to tackle than actual corruption, right?
*[corrected typo]
Yes. Perception is overblown.
Social media (not focus media) has 100% made dis- and misinformation easier to generate and spread and leads to all kinds of societal harms.
Tackle corruption wear it actually occurs, don't go hunting imaginary ones or ones that get blown out of proportion and twisted by narratives.
Me too David!