@StoleMyThundersBalls I especially liked the whole "...and their whole families." part.
I honestly think one of the major chinks in our armour in the western world has been this individualist idea of justice.
Once upon a time it was considered common sense that if a man got himself into an important position - of any kind - it was at the behest of his whole family. The advantage was enjoyed by his whole family.
And so when he was found to be a traitor or couldn't or wouldn't do the job, the whole family would pay the price. Not just him.
Collective punishment.
Consider today's politicians who are in their 70's and 80's in America and insider trading - for what? it's not for themselves, it's for their legacy.
I have a painting on my wall of that Roman Soldier who stood his post in Pompeii even when the volcano had erupted and lava was running down the mountain toward the town, and he probably went down due to the gasses that were released, but they found him at his post in the 1800's.
People suggest the reason for that was because if he left his post without leave - his whole family would pay the price of some kind for it.
Oswald Spengler described him as a thoroughbred. The very best of what the western world could produce, but upon scratching the surface you realise it was also because of that collective punishment that kept him standing there in the face of death.
I'm not 100% sold on this idea as yet, and perhaps it would vary from case to case, but I do think some kind of collective punishment for people in government should be established to stop this kind of corruption.