state capture
Government by oligarchs
State capture is the systematic corruption of a government by private interests—typically wealthy individuals or corporations—who gain control over key institutions and decision-making processes for their own benefit.
Unlike ordinary corruption, which works around the system, state capture reshapes the system itself: laws get written to favor the captors, regulatory agencies serve their interests, and public resources flow to private hands.
The commission investigated state capture during the previous administration.
The term gained prominence in post-Soviet transitions and South African politics.
- kleptocracyState-sponsored looting system
- cronyismFavoring friends in appointments
- corruptionDishonest abuse of power
- abuse of powerMisusing entrusted authority
- nepotismPreferring kin in hiring
vote rigging · political patronage · embezzlement · Gupta · electoral fraud · judicial corruption · rent-seeking · influence peddling · graft · campaign finance violations · misappropriation · favoritism · conflict of interest · racketeering · impunity · rot · plunder · public purse
- South AfricaCape Town, Johannesburg, Nelson Mandela, Pretoria, Durban
- corruptioncorruption, graft, kickbacks, bribery, bribes
- coupscoup d'etat, overthrow, coup attempt, soft coup, failed coup
- elite poweroligarchy, plutocracy, oligarch, plutocrat, oligarchs
- New South AfricaNelson Mandela, Mandela, rainbow nation, African National Congress, new constitution
- African Governmentparliament, legislature, judiciary, executive, presidency
state capturegood governance
Accountable, transparent institutional management
rule of law · democratic accountability · judicial independence · checks and balances · separation of powers
state capturestate control
Government-managed economy or society
nationalization · statism · command economy · state intervention · government regulation
state capturepopular sovereignty
Populace holds ultimate authority
participatory democracy · public accountability · grassroots democracy · democratic participation · pluralism
state, capture, statement, stated, states, stating, statements, statecraft, statehood