More Corrupt the State, the More Numerous the Laws

"More Corrupt the State, the More Numerous the Laws." - Tacitus

The U.S. is brimming with laws, rules, and regulations, yet corruption, wealth inequality, banditry, and institutional looting, and inter-generational stealing are by all observations at all time highs. The sheer amount of corruption is staggering. Are we more moral and better because of our laws, or does state control and dependency defer responsibility to others?