Corruption Meaning – Brimerian Echo
Corruption is defined as a form of dishonesty or a criminal offense that is undertaken by a person or an organization that is entrusted with a position of authority, to acquire illicit benefits or abuse power for one’s gain. Corruption may involve many activities which include bribery and embezzlement, and it may also involve practices that are legal in many countries. Political corruption occurs when an office-holder or other governmental employee acts in an official capacity for personal gain. Corruption is most common in kleptocracies, oligarchies, narco-states, and mafia states.
- What are similarities and differences between the corruption discussed in the reading and:
a. High school or college students giving money in exchange of a submitted/unfinished project?
Both the action of high school student and the corruption are example of bias application of authority and power. Corruption is commonly due to the interest of the corrupt officials to propagate his/her power and network. On the other hand, in the case of high school student, the immediate cause of malpractice of authority is the student itself.
b. A cashier at a convenience store who gives candy instead of the exact centavo change of consumer?
The way of giving change at the convenience store and the corruption are similar in the reason of, these two are both not proportioned return of expected goods and services from the money they spent. In the aspect of governance, this practice duplicates identically the irregularities of unequal distribution between taxes of people and government services. However, the purposes of the two are different, in corruption; exchanging inappropriate return to taxes is a barrier in the economic development. While, in the case of convenience store, it helps to speedy and more applicable process in small scale business.
c. A business owner who only buys supplies from businesses that are owned by people from his church or temple?
Both of corruption and the practice businessman stated above are the product of bias or incompetent distribution of wealth and opportunity. But, the two have differences such as; the businessman’s practice is legal and common strategy to reinforce company’s alliance. On the other hand, corruption is unlawful act of subjective appropriation or bedding of government projects, services and resources.
d. A politician who promises to vote for particular legislation only if a lucrative job is arranged for a family member?
These two, corruption and legislation for exchange of favor, are both practice of selfish public operation. The two can produce unequal opportunity offered by the government because of personal interest of the person in power. The corruption discussed by the article focused on patronage involving vast population where particular officials is a member, like in the case of Shunni and Shiite religious faction of Iraq. But, the action of legislator above is delimited to his relative and makes the government work secretly for one family.
- Describe policies, regulations, procedures and structures of the national government that work to curb corruption. How do they work?
The corruption is a systematic counterpart and avoidance. The governments of the world and political scholars had proposed some ideal measures to defeat corruption such as transparency in governance, accountability of public officials and educating the citizens with the awareness of rules of law. Those guiding principles of good governance can unfold any irregularities happening inside the three corner of the public. In that sense, the freedom of information rule is essential to sustained public trust and participation. - What circumstances and factors could make such measure (answer #2) unsuccessful?
Good governance is the responsibility of every citizenry in the country. In that sense, the failure of the country’s people to participate in the process of the republic is a big barrier to defeat corruption. Also, in some extent, the issue of national security can use by those persons in power to secretly use the authority in feeding public fund for their own interest. - What makes stable government difficult to establish after violent conflict?
One of the major factors that make the government difficult to establish is the corruption. In the first place we all know that conflict cycle in the government begins with the corruption, it is said that corruption lies at the hearts of society’s problem, it diverts funds intended for development, undermines the ability of governments to provide basic services. Corruption cause many problems that can affect in establishing good governance. - Why is it important for government coming out of conflict to address corruption?
We all know that the main reason of conflict in government is corruption. Of course it is very important for a government to come out of conflict because if you imagine a nation or state without emerging conflict there will be a proper usage of funds in any aspect in our society it is because many good politician will set their mind in proper using of their allotted budget not on their own will. - For countries coming out of conflict, what are the dangers of not being able to establish good governance?
Of course, if you fail to establish good governance in your society definitely you will fail to solve those emerging conflict in your society. Because good governance are the only reason to eradicate all of those conflict in a society because it will serve as the foundation of the nation or state to work out on those conflict. - Can the proposed federalism of the entire Philippines help eradicate corruption?
Maybe, because there will be a separation between the local and national government and the local government will tend to focus only their restricted place, resources and governance. But in the case of federalism in our nation that proposed by our president it will minimize politician that are not much important in governing a particular region. But in our point of view, those remaining politician will not surely be corrupt because they are bonded of those people who are just want to fulfill their own will.