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Notes -
I would say that your scenario (which is reasonable) doesn't change the moral valence of going around regulations per se. What it changes is the reason why someone is doing it. The hypothetical NYC real estate developer is in no danger of starving, and indeed is probably pretty wealthy. So when he lies to get his construction project going, he's just doing it to line his pockets. But the hypothetical Soviet citizen is probably going to literally go hungry unless he does something to work around the system. So it becomes acceptable to do a nominally bad thing because the reason why is sufficient. Kind of like how stealing to plunder riches is condemned, but stealing to feed your starving family (or self) is generally accepted as ok.
Okay, so you are applying this logic to, say, tax loopholes and environmental regulations, and not, say, production targets or reporting to Comrade General. That makes more sense.
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