The institutionalized corruption of the real socialist system: the herring barrel metaphor once again

Abstract

This article exploits the herring barrel metaphor, introduced by the author to describe the actual working of the real socialist or communist regimes. This metaphor, which can be treated as a proper model of the system, demonstrates that the system was based on the fundamental principle of shortage, from which power, founded on the exchange and distribution capacity, was derived. This capacity of exchange and distribution was organized as institutionalized corruption, meaning that it was recognized, partly tacitly and partly explicitly, managed and utilized, while the official doctrine denied its existence.

On the surface the system seemed to be coherent and consistent, and it looked as such very much from the outside as well as from the inside. The weak points were two: (1) the real shortage and (2) the inherent falsity. But these, as well, were the cornerstones of the system. In the long run, therefore, despite the apparent consistency, it had to collapse. Yet, beware, the (multiple) motivations to install one are still present. The article shows also some mechanisms behind these motivations and their place in the contemporary political processes.