Eradicating corruption in the society, Essays (university) of International Business

Download Eradicating corruption in the society and more Essays (university) International Business in PDF only on Docsity! INTRODUCTION “Eradicating corruption in the society: Individual and collective strategies” Corruption is a work done with the intention of giving some benefits according to the official duty and rights of others. It involves bribe, but is more comprehensive, because no work can be done corruptly, however the benefit received from it is not given to anybody else. Corruption is one of the most damaging consequences of poor governance. It undermines investment and economic growth, decreases the resources available for human development goals, deepens the extent of poverty, subverts the judicial system, and undermines the legitimacy of the state. In fact, when corruption becomes entrenched, it can devastate the entire economic, political, and social fabric of a country…corruption breeds corruption – and a failure to combat it effectively can lead to an era of entrenched corruption” (Human Development in South Asia, 1999:96). Clearly, eradicating corruption provides multiple benefits to society. As Kaufman, Kraay, and Zaido-Lobaton (2000) observe, in countries where corruption is successfully controlled, there is greater inflow of foreign investments, higher per capita income growth, higher literacy rate and increased business growth. Hence, eradicating corruption inevitably helps further poverty eradication and economic development. Individual Strategies of Eradicating Corruption in the Society A corrupt civil servant who regards his public office as a business; the income of which he will seek to maximize his or her profits: The office then becomes a ‘maximizing unit.’ The size of his income depends upon the organization and market situation and his talents for finding the point of maximal gain on the public’s demand curve.” (Van Klaveren, 1989:26) • Promote justice - By reporting incidents of corruption. Create an environment where the rule of law that hinders corruption prevails e.g. by using the power of the internet to protect journalists who report on corruption cases and other whistleblowers. When citizens and businesses feel confidence in their legal institutions’ ability to address disputes in a fair and honest manner, they can effectively limit the impact of organized crime, illicit drugs, trafficking in human beings and terrorism. • Support education - By investing in and protecting funds for education. Future prosperity depends on the quality and performance of the educational system. Ensuring that educational funds are administered in a fair and transparent manner protects a country’s most valuable asset – its children. • Bring prosperity - By refusing to participate in any activities that are not legal and transparent. Publicizing corrupt and good practices is a powerful means of keeping the business community working within the rule of law and international good practices. This increases both domestic and foreign investment. Everyone is more willing to invest in countries when they see that funds are not being siphoned off into the pockets of corrupt officials. • Safeguard development - By knowing what the UNCAC requires of your government and its officials. Rooting out corruption allows social and economic development. Individually owned companies, small and large, find it easier to stay in business when the artificial tax of corruption is removed. • Improve public health By ensuring that funds are not diverted away from healthcare, through creating links with journalists, in both rural and urban settings, who report on how healthcare services are delivered to the most marginalized citizens in society. A well-functioning and beneficial health sector is one of the most crucial services provided to citizens, as it saves individual lives. • Deliver the goods: Invest in institutions and policy Sustainable improvement in how a government delivers services is only possible if the people in these institutions endorse sensible rules and practices that allow for change while making the best use of tested traditions and legacies – imported models often do not work. Collective Strategies of Eradicating Corruption in the Society Trendsetters tend to show high levels of autonomy, and are willing to disregard the norms to which most members of the community conform. In cases where negative norms are widespread but people believe that different practices would leave everyone better off, trendsetters from public, private or civic sectors can help shift people’s behavior in beneficial directions. Behavioral interventions should thus be targeted towards trendsetters who can be persuaded to abandon certain practices and persuade others to follow. Where trendsetters cannot be identified, the media may be used to exemplify alternative lifestyles and behaviors and thus encourage change. Education entertainment (‘edutainment’) has been used successfully by governments and international organizations to promote behavioral changes and disseminate useful information. • Using trendsetters and social marketing strategies to overturn the false beliefs that tend to drive corrupt practices. Where people would like to see change but wrongly fear that others do not share their beliefs, trendsetters can play a key role by being willing to incur the cost of violating a norm. In taking this step first, a trendsetter reassures other citizens that they are not alone in believing a norm should be abandoned. Trendsetters and social marketing strategies to spread information about what people really think and believe can play a crucial role in helping to stimulate the collective development of social sanctions to curb corrupt practices. Social marketing strategies that urge people to act in keeping with their personal aversion to corrupt practices can be highly influential, and can generate critical mass support for social change. There is also scope to boost public awareness of the laws governing the behavior of public officials and setting out their responsibilities towards citizens. Accountability channels – such as confidential text-message hotlines – can allow citizens to make complaints and report corrupt acts by officials without jeopardizing their personal safety. • Integrating behavioral insights into anti-corruption strategies. Behavioral drivers influence the attitudes that people adopt towards corruption, and the choices they make about how to act. Societies’ anti-corruption agencies should therefore systematically integrate an informed understanding of behavioral drivers as part of the long-term approach to their mandates. CONCLUSION Corruption reduces the returns of productive activities. It creates the opportunity for increased inequality, reduces the return of productive activities, and, hence, makes rent-seeking and corruption activities more attractive. This opportunity for increased inequality not only generates psychological frustration to the underprivileged but also reduces productivity growth, investment, and job opportunities. Corruption is an intractable problem. It is like diabetes, can only be controlled, but not totally eliminated. It may not be possible to root out corruption completely at all levels but it is possible to contain it within tolerable limits. Honest and dedicated persons in public life, control over collective expenses could be the most important prescriptions to combat corruption. Corruption has a corrosive impact on our economy. It worsens our image in international market and leads to loss of overseas opportunities. Corruption is a global problem that all countries of the world have to confront and eradicate.