I strongly agree with almost all you've said here. The following I do not.

"The psychological effects of power always result in corruption even if good people with good intentions are elected"

Rather than postulating the power corrupts, I note that it is demonstrably factual that the corrupt seek power. Since but few people aren't somewhat corrupt, when marginally corrupt people find themselves in positions of power, they more strongly effect corruption. It's a chicken and egg thing.

What people say and what they really intend aren't utterly identical, and it's a fact that people mislead even themselves.

Thanks!