What are some reasons that government corruption occurs? did any aspects of the harding administration contribute to the scandals?

In a general sense, corruption occurs due to human imperfection. Governments are as imperfect as the humans who create them. More specifically corruption occurs when the general, public interest is in a conflict with private or individual interests. Unfortunately, it is extremely easy for many types of government to become corrupt and democratic republicanism is not the exception. It usually happens when powerful individuals enter government in order to further their own agendas in detriment of the public good. Most of these men regroup in order to strengthen their position and bribe or silence those who oppose them. They manipulate public opinion with the help of other financially powerful groups and encourage policies and the creation of laws that advance their own profits while causing harm to the overall constituents. Sometimes the corruption is ideological and usually is both. Most times, ideological reasons are actually a façade for plain and simple greed and power hunger which is more pathological than intellectual.

With regards to the Harding Administration, domestic policy was very similar to the domestic policies of the current administration. Harding did not indulge in nepotism but in cronyism, which is sort of “nepotism for friends”.  As a business man in Ohio he had built an extensive network of friends within his own company and other companies. This allowed him to organize with them to further their own interests. The fact that he controlled a journal was also part of the issue as he used his journal to shape public opinion at the state and local level. When he became president of the USA, he brought with him many friends that he appointed in several positions of power in the federal government and his cabinet. Some of them turned out to be quite efficient and respected but many others were quite mediocre and belonged to Harding’s business circles back in Ohio. The best example of this is the Teapot Dome Scandal. Where members of his cabinet were Harding’s Secretary of the Interior Albert Bacon Fall was convicted of taking bribery from oil companies yet no oil company executive was ever convicted for the bribery. This person was part of what was then called The Ohio Gang.

b) a state law could be declared illegal if it contradicted the constitution.

explanation:

the conflict of this case originated when james w. mcculloch, a cashier of the baltimore branch of the second bank of the united states that the congress had chartered in 1816, refused to pay a tax imposed by the maryland state.

in the case, the state of maryland appealed that the establishment of a second bank was unconstitutional since the constitution didn't say anything about granting that power to congress. however, the case determined that even if such right wasn't specifically stated in the constitution, it was part of the "implied powers" of the government enunciated in article i, section 8.

the case also eliminated maryland's legislation to impose taxes to a national bank, asserting that even though the states retained the power of taxation, the constitution's laws are supreme and can not be controlled by the states, therefore, if a state law contradicts the constitution, it should be declared illegal.

explanation:

i'm not exactly sure if you should be referring to your textbook or other resources for this because they might want it verbatim, but here we go.

7: when martin luther king jr. (january 15, 1929 - april 4, 1968) was growing up, although slavery had been abolished, there was still open segregation in practice, i.e., white only restrooms and coloured restrooms. one famous incident was when on december 1, 1955, rosa parks refused to give up her seat to a white man on a bus. because of this, she was arrested, but eventually freed.

8: he was a man who spoke out to the entire nation about peace and equality, so therefore doing something for your community, or nation, is a way of honoring him because he did the same. everyone learns about martin luther king jr. he is famous in history books, most especially for his “i have a dream” speech that inspired millions worldwide. he spoke to the entire nation about freedom, equality, and peace for all. he was participation in his community and doing what was right for him and all his community. participating in service projects is a great idea to honor his dream and his memory. even thought it’s not was comes first to mind when thinking about community service projects, it is an amazing way to honor an amazing man who changed the future for the better.

hope this ! : )