Political corruption is not a tragic byproduct of human weakness. In systems that seek longevity, it becomes a deliberate method of survival. Regimes that wish to endure do not allow corruption to emerge on its own. They plan it, orchestrate…
From an outsider’s perspective, the hidden mechanics of power often appear to belong to a higher form of intelligence. We speak of grand strategy, subtle manipulation, long-term planning, an art of refined intellect. But when we adopt the vantage point…
Running a rotten state does not require a Machiavellian genius or any exceptional intelligence. A minimum of cynicism, a decent understanding of human nature and some discipline in applying a few simple principles are enough to set up a system…
On the shore of a motionless sea stood a capital famed for its exemplary peace. Tourists photographed it, guidebooks praised it, and foreign dignitaries came seeking its secret. At night, its façades gleamed as if lit from within. In truth,…
In a kingdom remarkably proud of its administrative longevity, corruption never fell from the sky like some unfortunate rain. It arrived more like a carefully wrapped package marked fragile, to be opened with gratitude. The ruling elite nurtured its bad…
For centuries, humanity has believed itself driven by ideas, doctrines, ideologies. We are taught that peoples fight for worldviews, that revolutions spring from collective convictions, that political or religious faith shapes societies. Yet it is enough to open one’s eyes…
After showing that ideology is neither the real engine of history nor a lived substance for peoples, a more radical question remains. If ideologies were anything other than imposed decor, if they possessed an intrinsic power of conviction, their distribution…
At the center of a vast plain stood an ancient city known as the City of Banners. It was neither the richest nor the most violent city in the world, yet it possessed a singular trait: its walls were covered…
There exists in the modern world an extremely widespread activity, practiced just as enthusiastically in palaces as in cafés, in universities as on glowing screens. This activity consists of uttering very serious sentences about very abstract concepts, while continuing to…