BY CHRISTIAN SARKAR

The enshittification of government refers to the decay of government systems and institutions that were originally designed to serve the Common Good. Over time, they become corrupted, dysfunctional, and, in many cases, exploitative — benefiting a small elite while abandoning the needs of the public.. I borrowed the phrase from Cory Doctorow who was describing the decline of online platforms as they prioritize profits over user well-being. We should apply it more broadly to institutions – like governments, think tanks, universities, and even non-profits.

The enshittification of institutions and industries is the hallmark of corruption. It is the outcome of Crapitalism.

Enshittification: How it Works

1. Elite Capture: The Interests of the Few Over the Many Governments, over time, become tools for special interests and powerful corporations, pushing the agenda of the wealthy few. We see this in the form of corporate lobbying, campaign finance, and policy decisions that serve the powerful, rather than the people. The public interest is sidelined in favor of corporate welfare, tax breaks for the ultra-wealthy, privatization, and deregulation that benefits those who already have the most.

2. The Erosion of Trust: Government as a Legitimacy Crisis When people can no longer trust that their leaders are acting in their best interests, the very legitimacy of the system is undermined. Voter apathy grows as citizens lose faith in the process, and a sense of alienation from the political system spreads. When trust falters, so does democracy — and we witness the rise of disillusionment, protests, and a growing disconnect between the governed and those who govern. This is one reason for the rise of Trump. Unfortunately it seems that Trump will simply accelerate the enshittification.

3. Short-Termism: The End of Long-Term Thinking Enshittification thrives on short-term political gains — policies that win elections but sow the seeds of future crises. Politicians prioritize immediate re-election over long-term sustainability. We see this in fiscal irresponsibility, unsustainable tax cuts, and corporate bailouts that offer temporary relief but undermine the stability of public services and institutions in the long run. The system becomes geared for quick wins, not long-term solutions.

4. Inequitable Resource Distribution: Wealth in the Hands of the Few A central tenet of the enshittification process is the concentration of wealth and resources. Governments begin to act as tools for the elite, providing tax breaks, subsidies, and other benefits to the wealthy, while essential services like healthcare, education, and welfare are neglected or privatized. The result is a deeply unequal society where opportunities are limited to a privileged few, and the majority struggles to get by.

5. Decreased Accountability: A Government That No Longer Serves the People As governments become less accountable, their legitimacy erodes. This is evident in corruption, lack of transparency, and the weakening of independent institutions designed to hold the powerful to account. Accountability becomes a casualty of a system more interested in serving itself than in serving its people. When institutions no longer function as checks on power, the people lose their voice, and government becomes a self-serving machine or worse, a machine that accelerated inequality and injustice – a tyranny.

6. Suppression of Dissent: The Erosion of Democracy Governments that descend into enshittification often resort to authoritarian measures. Dissent is suppressed, and freedoms are curtailed. The right to protest, to speak freely, and to assemble is threatened. Dissenters are jailed, journalists silenced. Democracy is replaced with a hollow shell, and the system becomes less responsive, more rigid, and less accountable to the people. This can lead to civil unrest, political polarization, and in extreme cases, regime change.

7. The Broken Social Contract At the heart of the enshittification of government is the breakdown of the social contract — the idea that citizens agree to follow the law in exchange for protection, justice, and the advancement of the Common Good. When governments break that contract by failing to address the needs of the people, or by enriching the few at the expense of the many, trust is shattered. A broken contract leads to widespread disillusionment and a sense of abandonment. It also leads to populism, violence, and social unrest.

8. Global Implications: A Disconnect from Global Standards The enshittification of government isn’t just a local or national issue — it has global consequences. Governments that fail to protect the most vulnerable often also fail to meet international standards on human rights, environmental sustainability, and economic justice. They are disconnected from the global conversation on climate change, social justice, and human dignity, and they risk isolation in a world increasingly interconnected.

9. The Rise of Authoritarianism: Dictators, Thugs, and Tyrants The enshittification of government leads to the rise of strongmen – people who promise to fix things and in the process take over the government. This corruption breeds instability, undermines social cohesion, and can lead to the rise of extremist political movements or authoritarian regimes that promise to “fix” the system but only further entrench the interests of the powerful. Fascism, Communism, Democracy, Theocracy – doesn’t matter – the system is corrupted by ego-driven power.

The Outcome: The End of Ethics

When a government undergoes enshittification, it no longer serves its core purpose — to protect and nurture the Common Good. Citizens lose trust in the system, disengage from the democratic process, and become increasingly cynical. Ethics are no longer part of society and violence escalates.

Addressing the Enshittification of Government: A Call for Regeneration

To address the enshittification of government, we must embark on a journey of systemic regeneration. This starts with:

• Restoring Accountability: Strengthen democratic institutions, combat corruption, and ensure transparency at all levels of government.
• Inclusive Economic Policies: Shift from policies that favor the wealthy few to those that address inequality, provide opportunities for all, and ensure a just distribution of resources.
• Long-Term Thinking: Move beyond short-term political wins and focus on sustainable, long-term policies that benefit society as a whole.
• Public Engagement: Reconnect citizens with their government through participatory decision-making and civic education.

The enshittification of government seems inevitable, but with concerted effort, it is possible to make government regenerative – to restore trust, rebuild institutions, and ensure that government works for the people and the Common Good, not just the powerful.

By the way, enshittification also applies to entire industries. (Stay tuned).

Christian Sarkar is an author, artist, and activist consultant. He is a co-founder of the Regenerative Marketing Institute along with Philip Kotler and Enrico Foglia. In 2021, Christian was named to the Thinkers50 Radar of global management thinkers primarily for his work on brand activism.