Figures like Donald Trump and Elon Musk are not anomalies but symptoms of a system in decay.

The phrase, “there will come a time where there is no shame, and leaders will act like dogs” has its roots in various traditions, including ancient wisdom and cultural proverbs, often warning of societal decay when leaders abandon virtue, integrity, and accountability. The essence of this saying captures the deep malaise many societies experience when power is divorced from ethics, and leaders act not as stewards of their people, but as opportunists and sycophants, driven by personal gain rather than the public good.

In contemporary times, this warning feels prescient. How else can we describe a world where billionaires, oligarchs, and convicted criminals like Trump ascend to positions of immense influence and power? How else do we explain political parties morphing into influencer marketing machines, serving donors and special interests instead of their constituents? And what of the mainstream media – complicit in sensationalising conflict, normalising corruption, and often failing to hold power to account?

The corrupting force of money in politics

At the heart of this moral and political crisis lies money. The influence of money has always been a corrosive force in politics, but in recent decades, its effects have metastasised. Campaign finance systems that allow unlimited donations — such as the Citizens United decision in the United States — have handed immense power to a wealthy elite. This has created a system where policies are shaped by the desires of billionaires and corporations rather than the needs of ordinary people.

Leaders beholden to these interests act less like public servants and more like guard dogs protecting the wealth and power of their benefactors. They bark loudly at perceived enemies — immigrants, the marginalised, or dissenters — while wagging their tails for their masters in boardrooms and gated communities.

One stark example of this dynamic is Elon Musk. Once hailed as a visionary entrepreneur, Musk has increasingly leveraged his immense wealth and platform to influence global politics and erode democratic norms making him the poster child for the dangers of allowing billionaires to wield disproportionate influence, often at the expense of democracy and societal well-being.

Party politics: The rise of the influencer machine

Political parties have become branding exercises, more interested in optics than outcomes. Leaders are often selected not for their competence or moral authority, but for their marketability. Social media has amplified this trend, turning political discourse into sound bites and tweets, reducing complex issues to hashtags and memes. The rise of “political influencers” has replaced serious debate with performative outrage, where loyalty to the party line outweighs loyalty to the truth.

This transformation is evident in the behaviour of politicians who act more like reality TV stars than legislators. Their primary goal is not to serve but to trend, to be seen, to go viral. The machinery of governance is neglected, while public trust erodes.

The role of shame as a moral brake

Shame, when properly understood, is a critical moral brake that helps prevent harmful actions and fosters accountability. This is not about shaming people for being different or for their personal circumstances, but about the societal expectation that leaders and individuals act with integrity and in the public interest. Healthy shame operates as an internal guide, reminding people of their responsibilities and the consequences of their actions.

In many ways, the erosion of shame among leaders has paved the way for the shameless pursuit of power, wealth, and self-interest. When figures like Musk and Trump act without regard for the norms and ethical boundaries that hold society together, they set a precedent for others to do the same. Without the moral restraint that shame provides, leaders are emboldened to manipulate, exploit, and deceive with impunity. Reintroducing the concept of shame — grounded in accountability and respect for others — is vital to restoring trust and integrity in public life.

The role of mainstream media

Mainstream media, once considered the watchdog of democracy, has in many ways become complicit in its unravelling. Sensationalism sells, and complex truths don’t generate clicks. The media’s focus on personalities over policies, conflict over consensus, and scandal over substance has created an environment where demagogues thrive.

By platforming lies and giving undue attention to bad actors, the media normalises their behaviour. For every investigative report exposing corruption, there are countless hours of free airtime given to the very figures undermining democracy. The result? A public increasingly disillusioned, confused, and disengaged.

The erosion of democracy

The combined effects of money, party politics, and media complicity have hollowed out the very institutions meant to safeguard democracy. When leaders act without shame, democratic norms are trampled, and the rule of law becomes optional. Figures like Trump and Musk are not anomalies, but symptoms of a system in decay. Musk’s manipulation of social media to silence dissent and amplify divisive narratives illustrates how unchecked wealth and influence degrade democratic principles. These individuals exploit public frustration, offering empty populism while entrenching the very systems of inequality they decry. Their actions undermine the core tenets of democracy, replacing transparency and accountability with self-serving agendas that leave the public disillusioned and disenfranchised.

The psychology of moral disengagement

Albert Bandura’s work on moral disengagement provides critical insights into this crisis. Moral disengagement refers to the psychological process by which individuals rationalise unethical behaviour, making it acceptable in their own minds. Leaders, corporations, and even the media often use mechanisms of moral disengagement to justify harmful actions – from dehumanising marginalised groups to framing destructive policies as necessary evils. This process allows them to act without guilt or shame, perpetuating corruption and injustice. Understanding this phenomenon is key to addressing the root causes of the current moral and political decline.

What can be done?

While the challenges are immense, solutions exist – but they require collective will and action:

1. Campaign finance reform
2. Media accountability
3. Reform political parties
4. Civic education and engagement
5. Support community movements
6. Call out corruption

A time for action

We live in a critical moment. The forces undermining democracy are powerful, but they are not invincible. The phrase “there will be a time where there is no shame” need not be a prophecy of doom. It can serve as a wake-up call, a reminder that we have the power to demand better from our leaders, our media, and ourselves.

Democracy thrives when its citizens are vigilant. It falters when apathy prevails. Let us ensure that history does not remember this era as the time when leaders acted like dogs, but as the time when people stood up, fought back, and reclaimed their power.