Most politicians are honest. The greedy tend to be drawn to the financial sector or arms dealerships rather than public service. But politicians still struggle to curb corruption – and their mixed motives don’t help. For twenty years, they have bought into the idea that deregulation will be the tide that lifts all boats. But while executive pay has increased significantly, politicians haven’t seen large increases in their own earnings. Many aspire to belong to the elite circles of the rich – an aspiration that they cannot openly acknowledge, lest it lead to rumors of greediness and cold-heartedness.