Among politicians good men have their uses, the chief of which is to afford a smoke-screen behind which others can carry on their activities unsuspected. ...
A good man will never be suspected by the public of using his goodness to screen villains : this is part of his utility.
出典： Bertrand Russell: The Harm That Good Men Do，1926.
詳細情報：http://russell-j.com/beginner/0393_HGMD-080.HTM
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Celebrities such as popular entertainers and athletes are valuable assets for companies when it comes to advertising. The more famous they are, the greater the benefits of their cooperation in promotions. Some individuals now earn over 100 million yen annually from commercials, and in the case of Shohei Ohtani, his total yearly earnings reportedly reach as much as 5 billion yen.
Power-hungry politicians also frequently exploit well-known figures from the private sector for political purposes. However, in politics, they cannot openly hand over large sums of money (or secret funds) to these celebrities, so they employ different tactics. They grant them honorary public positions or bestow official decorations, appealing to their desire for recognition. For those who have already amassed great wealth, prestige often becomes more attractive than money, allowing them to present themselves as virtuous individuals who are not driven by financial gain. Furthermore, after their death, their achievements can be inscribed on their tombstones, and their descendants can take pride in their legacy.
If this ultimately benefits society, the desire for honor is not necessarily a bad thing. However, many politicians take advantage of such "virtuous" individuals as a smokescreen for their misdeeds, so we must remain vigilant.
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