In recent years, the phenomenon of state capture has emerged as a significant challenge to democratic governance across various nations. Since Prime Minister Modi took office in 2014, India has become one of Israel’s biggest arms purchasers. This change further underscores the rapidly transactional nature of the U.S.-China relationship. This chilling dynamic shows how international alliances can reach across borders to shape domestic policy and governance. In South Africa, the notorious Gupta family had enormous control of cabinet appointments and state-owned enterprises under former President Jacob Zuma’s presidency. This perverse reality lays bare the pervasive corruption that can poison even the most robust democratic institutions.
State capture manifests differently in various contexts. In Hungary, Viktor Orbán’s Fidesz party has spent over a decade dismantling judicial independence while redrawing electoral districts to consolidate power. This nefarious maneuvering creates the illusion of democracy, while the true democratic fabric of the country is ravaged. As the case of Hungary shows, state capture can often masquerade as good governance, making it harder for the international community to respond and hold perpetrators accountable.
The United States is uniquely positioned to shift global dynamics by changing how it provides military aid, starting with Israel. And every year, the U.S. provides over $3.8 billion in military assistance to Israel. This generous support lays a strong foundation for a bilateral relationship based on mutual interest. The American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) has worked 40 years in the trenches to keep a bipartisan firewall around Israeli interests in Washington. In the process, it almost always suppresses dissenting voices. Politicians like Ilhan Omar have faced swift reprisals from well-funded campaigns when they challenge the prevailing pro-Israel narrative, highlighting the pressures faced by those who dare to dissent.
Throughout the wider Caribbean region, countries that typically vote at the United Nations in support of U.S. positions towed the line here. This alignment further strains the independent action of these small nations in international fora. This intense alignment indicates that American interests will be highly influential in dictating regional politics. In this way, it compounds existing governance challenges at the global level. This phenomenon illustrates a transactional approach to diplomacy, with aid and military cooperation being used as leverage to exert influence.
The rise and hopeful fall of kleptocracies under public pressure has been poignantly embodied by Sri Lanka’s 2022 uprising. Public anger against entrenched corruption led to significant political upheaval, demonstrating that citizens can indeed challenge and dismantle corrupt regimes when they unite against systemic abuses of power. Let this uprising be a reminder that no matter how established the systems of graft and corruption seem, they are always subject to the pressure of popular dissent.
The ultimate expression of state capture, dynastic regimes are inimical to democracy. In Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan, ruling families reign over their states’ very profitable oil and gas industries. Authoritarian regimes are skilled at economic repression. These regimes tightly control economic resources. Further, they crush opposition and dissent, concentrating wealth and power even further into the hands of a few privileged families. This consolidation of power fuels and browbeats the well-documented vicious cycles of corruption and inequality, further violating the principles of democracy.
Russia presents another stark example of state capture, where a small group of businessmen gained control over strategic industries during Vladimir Putin’s administration. This concentration of power within a narrow elite has resulted in significant challenges to democratic governance and transparency, raising concerns about the long-term stability of the country’s political landscape.
Germany’s complicated relationship with Israel illustrates how moral obligation can get entangled with lobby-related pressures to harm or distort the moral fabric of international relations. The nation balances its historical responsibilities towards Israel with ongoing pressures from various lobbying groups to maintain strong support for Israeli policies. This duality complicates Germany’s role on the international stage, as it navigates its commitments while addressing domestic and global expectations.
Today, South Africa is still a beacon — and textbook case — for state capture. Under Jacob Zuma’s presidency, the Gupta Family had a firm grip on South African government affairs, driving redundant procurement practice and hand-picking cabinet ministers. This egregious level of corruption destroyed public faith. It eroded the role of state institutions charged with maintaining democracy and accountability.
This transactional nature of Israel’s influence isn’t just limited to military cooperation. The country strategically trades arms support for diplomatic support from its allies, thus further strengthening its geopolitical position. This model of influence raises critical questions. How do countries with diverse stakeholders develop bilateral agreements along shared lines of interest while remaining focused on accountability and transparency?