SHU Dean Marbach: Corruption Arrests Lead to More Voter Apathy

Observers of last week's corruption sweep that netted 44 New Jersey residents—including mayors and assemblymen—have raised the question of why corruption appears to be endemic in the state. According to Joseph Marbach, a professor of political science and dean of the College of Arts & Sciences at Seton Hall, you have to look back to the beginning.

"It really traces back to our political culture, and if you go back to the early founding of the state, the state itself was one of the few proprietary colonies, which meant it was designed to be chopped up and sold," said Marbach, observing that no real government structure was initially in place. He also noted that an early royal governor, Lord Edward Hyde Cornbury, was recalled due to bribery and corruption charges.

Notwithstanding the state's reputation, New Jersey doesn't tend to come in first in indexes devised by political scientists to gauge which states are most corrupt. Illinois, Rhode Island, Louisiana and Mississippi tend to rank higher, but this is partially attributable to the sheer number of elected officials in New Jersey, comprising everything from school boards to library boards in some communities, Marbach said.

The ultimate effects of the arrests on the state's political landscape have yet to be determined. Republican gubernatorial candidate Chris Christie has certainly gotten a bump, since "it kind of reminds voters how he made his name in politics and plays into his message of change," but whether the impression on voters has staying power will depend on how quickly cases come to trial or are plea bargained.

An immediate impact may have been on Gov. Jon Corzine's selection of his lieutenant governor. "He apparently looked to [state Sen.] Loretta Weinberg, who really has a reputation as someone who doesn't tolerate corruption," said Marbach, noting that the governor was rumored to have been favoring state Sen. Barbara Buono, the budget committee chairwoman who's known for an understanding of the economy and finance.

Up to this point, the only official to have heeded Gov. Corzine's call for resignations is Joseph Doria, the former Department of Community Affairs commissioner, whose home and office were raided by the FBI, though he hasn't been arrested. According to Marbach, officials may be loath to resign because of the appearance of an admission of guilt. He expects the first few defendants to plead entrapment, but "in some cases where there there are multiple instances of accepting the bribes, it might be less effective."

Ultimately, though those arrested represent a tiny fraction of elected officials in the state, voter disenchantment may be more pervasive. "I think it just adds to the cynicism that voters feel toward government," he said. "It really does have a negative effect on making people less likely to participate in the system."