By 2012 the richest 70 members of China’s national legislature had a net worth of almost $90bn, more than 20 times the combined net worth of the entire US congress. (from “Age of Ambition”, by Evan Osnos).

In regimes all over the world corruption has been forever part of the picture. Decent, well-meaning people, who go into it to do good, are forced out, either by despair or by gerrymandering (or its equivalent). It must take a lot of character to stick at it when lobbyists are constantly knocking at your door and you are besieged by uncompromising ideologues. Observing the ruthlessness of the power-hungry, Epicurus advised us to avoid politics as being tough on peace of mind and a rather unfulfilling way of life, except for the uber-ambitious.

President Xi is ultimately bound to fail in his crackdown on corruption. The desire of the morally corrupt to be practically corrupt is as old as time. Were he to really crack down (instead of just ridding himself of those who might challenge his power, which is what he is really up to) fewer would go into the business of politics. Now the business of politics is another matter. In banking, if you are a Jamie Diamond, you can create havoc, fill your pockets, remain untouchable, and then start all over again with the havoc.