English to German Social Sciences Government / Politics

Empirically, whether or not democratic processes produce public accountability varies widely – across states, within states and over time. Many consolidated democracies also experience extended periods and *deep pockets* of weak checks and balances. For example, the US, Japan, Italy, and Germany are known for tolerating quite long-term, systemic political party corruption during much of the second half of the 20th century.

Was bedeutet "deep pockets" in diesem Zusammenhang? "extensive financial wealth or resources" passt ja nicht so recht in der Kombination "...deep pockets of weak checks and balances". Hat jemand einen Vorschlag? Haben die Parteien tiefe Taschen, in denen sich immer noch ein bisschen Bestechungsgeld unterbringen lässt?