Mainstreaming Corruption: How Populism Erodes Moral Standards

In many countries, even supporters of anti-populist parties have begun consciously accepting pathological behaviour, rule-breaking, and even illegal acts on the part of their chosen political representatives.

Following Gresham's Law, which holds that bad money drives out the good, opposition forces increasingly feel compelled to scheme and cheat in order to win.

As a result, politicians with scruples will find themselves at a disadvantage. With more and more voters concluding that populists must be beaten at their own game, opposition parties are faced with a choice between upholding their ethical standards and saving liberal democracy.

Under these conditions, politicians do not have to worry about losing their supporters' trust if they break the law in service to the party. But this tends to favour the populists already in power.

Hence, Poland's ruling Law and Justice (PiS) party and Fidesz in Hungary have enjoyed an unprecedented degree of immunity from political scandals.

Distinguishing between corruption in the name of the party and corruption in the interest of the individual is key.

Distinguishing between corruption in the name of the party and corruption in the interest of the individual is key.

In Poland, PiS Chairman Jaroslaw Kaczynski condones outright nepotism and institutional corruption, but condemns other forms of self-dealing.

PiS officials are routinely hired by state-owned enterprises, but with the understanding that they will donate a share of their earnings to the party.

And Kaczynski himself has reportedly pursued a deal with an Austrian businessman to build two skyscrapers on land owned by a PiS-connected firm.

By contrast, when it was revealed that Polish...