Capitalism is the root of evil
interdimensionalmeme @ interdimensionalmeme @lemmy.ml Posts 50Comments 2,752Joined 4 yr. ago
interdimensionalmeme @ interdimensionalmeme @lemmy.ml
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50
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2,752
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4 yr. ago
Interesting, you wish to make the widely repeated, ancient wisdom that power corrupt into a revolutionary statement against the null hypothesis ?
Very well, would you state your null hypothesis ?
Perhaps something more charitable than the following
"Power is not a problem actually, it's a matter of having the right group of elites with good and pure hearts and everything will be honky dory forever"
@Cowbee
Please choose your null hypothesis or provide your own
Improved suggestions
🔹 1. Structuralist Null Hypothesis
“Power, in itself, is not inherently corrupting. It is the structure and incentives of a given system (such as capitalism) that determine whether power is exercised corruptly.”
This frames corruption as a product of external conditions, not the mere possession of power.
🔹 2. Neutral Power Hypothesis
“Power is a neutral tool—it amplifies pre-existing tendencies in individuals or institutions, whether for good or ill.”
This positions power as neither good nor bad, just a multiplier.
🔹 3. Contextual Corruption Hypothesis
“Corruption occurs not because power corrupts, but because oversight, accountability, and community control are absent.”
Here, the claim is that power can exist without corruption if institutions around it are healthy.
🔹 4. Power-as-Delegation Hypothesis
“Power is not inherently corrupting when it is transparently delegated, revocable, and tied to responsibilities rather than privileges.”
This implies a democratic or anarchist framework where corruption is a result of opacity and lack of accountability.
🔹 5. Evolutionary Incentives Hypothesis
“Corruption is not caused by power, but by systems that reward short-term gain over long-term cooperation.”
This introduces a behavioral economics or game theory angle, where corruption is a rational response to poorly designed rules.