Democratization can only really happen within the framework of socialism, where collectivized production and distribution is being worked towards. This necessitates distributed responsibilities, but also doesn't conflict with having administration, nor an inherent "corruption of power" at the top. Capitalism selects for it, socialism does not.

I'd extend the thought a bit farther. Poorly designed roadways create bad drivers. Growing up in a household with violence increases the likelihood of that child perpetuating violence when they get older. Selectively bred animals aren't the way they are because of their ideas or some innate feature, they're the way they are because the system in which they exist creates them that way. The environment or system (large or small) has a major impact on the path individuals take.

If concentrated power and corruption is rarely punished and always rewarded, it is a symptom of the system at-large.

If creating cheap products which pollutes the environment makes a company 2 Billion, gets that company fined only 250 Million, essentially it makes it such that continuing polluting is just the cost of doing business. The system is creating the pollution. This specific system also has the side effect of limiting the competitiveness since a small business owner won't initially make 2 Billion and cannot eat the cost of a 250 Million fine. All it does is consolidate power and control towards massive corporations that are supported by the government (since the government removes competition through fines, tariffs, or violence).

No, they aren't metaphysical eldtritch gods infecting humans. Corruption existed prior, yes, in systems also designed to protect rule by a small class of people, like feudalism.

Lol. Actual religious thinking

It absolutely matters, because it means you can have administrative positions without some supernatural corruption.