In particular, do you think that if enough people campaigned for specific legislative reforms, the democratic system could be better proofed against bribery and corrupt forms of collusion?
No. Those bent on dark objectives will always gravitate toward vast bureaucratic systems where the loci of responsibility/culpability are diffuse.
Only if those of us who do not stand to benefit from legislative reforms get to vote on those reforms - not going to happen.
Completely agree - I would propose one vote per person for all citizens with no gerrymanders.
But if one of your strategies for reducing corruption involved reducing bureaucracy and making it more transparent, would that change your approach to the question?
The question is open - all possible strategies for ending corruption could be on the table.
I had not thought of the bureaucracies at all, because in Australia, so far, they haven't been involved; it's been the politicians themselves taking bribes from mining companies, big international businesses, and China.
Many years ago, the post-master general in Burma ended corruption in his department by offering free Vipassana meditation courses to any employee that volunteered. Those who did the courses and whose honesty improved as a result got promotions. That's all it took to wipe out bribery within a few years. --- Unfortunately, it all fell to pieces after the military junta took over.
