Embedded Files
When small violations of rules, laws, or norms are tolerated and repeated, they become the accepted way of doing business. Over time, corruption becomes invisible and unchallenged.
Why It Matters
Shifts the cultural baseline of governance.
Trains members and citizens to expect dishonesty.
Makes major abuses harder to challenge because “everyone does it.”
Tell-Tale Signs
Minor conflicts of interest ignored.
Rules bent “just this once” without correction.
Members defending misconduct by citing precedent.
Examples Across Levels
Local: A condo board ignores bylaw violations for friendly owners.
State: Legislators accept perks or gifts that technically violate ethics rules.
Federal: Officials shrug off repeated norm-breaking as “politics as usual.”
Countermeasures
Establish zero-tolerance policies for small violations.
Publicize and correct even minor breaches.
Foster whistleblower protections to encourage reporting.
Related Patterns
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