A Systems-Based Interpretation of Political Corruption through the Universal Formula’s Law of Karma

Abstract Corruption remains a pervasive global problem, undermining public trust, destabilizing economies, and weakening governance structures. Despite possessing moral awareness and societal accountability, many political leaders engage in acts of corruption driven by greed and self-interest. This paper applies the Universal Formula’s First Law — the Law of Karma — to explain the persistence of corruption as a systemic defect in both individual consciousness and collective institutions. The law is interpreted not only as the law of cause and effect but also as a systems principle, wherein any system—whether natural or man-made—must be free from defects to function harmoniously. The study demonstrates how imbalanced decision-making, rooted in ignorance of natural laws, leads to moral and social decay. By integrating the Universal Law of Balance and feedback mechanisms, this framework offers a holistic educational and moral solution to political corruption.