The Russian Government’s Stance on Corruption: A Sicilian Mafia Enterprise

The Russian government's stance on corruption is one of the most scandalous examples of institutions turning a blind eye to the blatant and pervasive nature of criminal activity. While many governments around the world deal with corruption as a mere inconvenience, for Russia, it's a vital aspect of power and wealth accumulation. In many cases, it appears that corruption is not seen as a bug but rather as the basis of the entire governing system.

The 'Casablanca' Model

The Russian government's approach to corruption can be described as the 'Casablanca' model, where the government officials are aware of the corruption but choose to ignore it in order to maintain the status quo and benefit financially. This model was famously illustrated by Captain Renault in the film Casablanca, who is initially shocked to find gambling occurring but quickly turns a blind eye, acknowledging that there is nothing to be done.

"Im shocked!
Shocked to find that gambling is going on in here."
— Captain Renault, Casablanca

In Russia, this approach is evident in the government's stance on corruption. While laws exist to penalize corrupt behavior, the enforcement is lax, and the penalties are often minor compared to the profits that corrupt officials can obtain. This duality is exemplified by the fact that Russia is not just a government but a thoroughly corrupt criminal enterprise, where the higher one ranks, the more they can purloin.

A Government of Corruption

Many high-ranking officials within the Russian government have amassed significant wealth through corrupt practices. One such example is Julia Matvienko, the daughter-in-law of the speaker of the Russian Senate Valentina Matvienko, who enjoyed a luxurious vacation in Morocco while the Russian army was paying a heavy price in the war. This juxtaposition of wealth and power, while the country bleeds, is a stark reminder of the cynical nature of the government's stance on corruption.

Another example is Mikhail Mishustin, the prime minister of Russia, whose mother earned millions of rubles working for an excessive number of hours. The fact that such individuals can exploit their positions without facing consequences underscores the corruption that permeates the government. These cases highlight how corruption keeps the top officials on a tight leash, as they are all criminals, and anyone can be imprisoned for fraud and corruption.

The Systemic Corruption

The pervasive nature of corruption in Russia is not limited to individuals. It extends to systemic activities, from ministers driving cars made by foreign companies to defense officials proposing to label goods. This hypocrisy and lies are what Russian patriotism is made of, and they are integral to the functioning of the government. The system is so corrupt that even resigning is not an option during the ongoing conflict.

"Even resigning isn’t an option now during the ‘special operation’: you are asked ‘politely’ not to leave – under the threat of a criminal case. And people quickly change their minds. There are actual names and stories of top officials who tried to resign and were so nicely asked not to they didn’t think twice about withdrawing their resignation requests coming back with tails between their legs."

The constant thievery and corruption have made public servants and officials become so dependent on the system that they would pay big money for the opportunity to quietly leave. Putin's state works like a mafia: 1 entry, 10 exits… or no exits at all. Keep calm and carry on.

Conclusion

For Russia, corruption is not just an issue, but a fundamental part of the governing system. It is a system that benefits those in power and exploits the people, resulting in countless lives and resources being wasted. The Russian government's stance on corruption exposes a depraved and cynical attitude towards moral and ethical behavior, making it clear that the system itself is corrupt and in need of radical reform.