Final answer:
Janissary men could corrupt the merit process by bribing officials, preventing new recruitments, and accumulating power, leading to their transformation from a loyal military force to a politically influential group within the Ottoman Empire.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Janissary men could corrupt the merit process of the Ottoman military and administrative system in several ways. For instance, parents could bribe Ottoman officials to get their children selected into the Janissary corps, thereby undermining the system's integrity. Additionally, reluctance from existing Janissaries to incorporate new recruits led to a halt in the devshirme system, allowing Janissaries to accrue influence and power that was originally meant to be checked by a steady inflow of new, loyal soldiers.
The devshirme system, intended to usher in Christian youth to create an elite Janissary force loyal solely to the Sultan, was undermined by these acts of nepotism and power consolidation. Because Janissaries were essentially dependent on the Sultan for privileges and had supposedly no family loyalty, they were believed to be inherently loyal. However, over time, as they gained power, they pushed for changes that allowed them to marry, own property, and cease the recruitment of new Janissaries, thereby skewing the merit-based system towards their personal interests.
The Janissary corps grew into a significant political force, capable of influencing succession and policy decisions. This power derived not only from their military prowess but also from their central role in politics, which was cemented by their history of effective military engagements and their personal loyalty to the Sultan.
Learn more about Corruption of Merit Process by Janissaries