There is no unanimity of opinion as to what corruption is? It is a highly complex phenomenon. Whether we accept it or not? It is a fact of life in today’s world. It is staring us in the face with its ferocious determination to overshadow the development phase of the globe. In its present form it is a global threat.
The 7th edition of the Oxford Advance Learner’s Dictionary defines corruption as "dishonest or illegal behavior, especially of people in authority" or "the act or effect of making something change from moral to immoral standards of behavior".
The World Bank has defined it as the "use of public office for private gains" it covers all kinds of irregular practices and extends to such things as tax evasion, customs evasion misappropriations of public funds, black marketing, smuggling, fraud, forgeries and financial embezzlement. Corruption is wider terms may be defined as “ the state of absence of transparency, accountability and publicity which further signifies absence lf all kinds of honesty and integrity such as financial integrity, intellectual integrity and moral integrity. In nut shell corruption is the substitution of private interests. For public interest corruption existed since immemorial and even in today’s the so-called age of reason” financial scandal is a daily occurrence. In culturally heterogeneous societies there can be no consensus on values. Resultantly there prevails utter confusion as to what preciously the corruption and corrupt practices are? Modernization, computerization and automation have give rise to a new or against and systematic shape to corruption. A very small percentage of persons found guilty of corruption is nabbed prosecuted convicted and eventually imprisoned. Majority of such persons finds their way out and enjoy the booty with impunity. Having received no moral training we are indulging in a record corruption spree corruption has permeated at all levels, all sectors of the society and all aspects of public life n o one seems to be free from the influence of this all pervading menace. A well-though-out strategy to combat corruption of all forms at all levels and from all sections of the society is required to be devised. Introduction of effective control measures are required to have checks and counter-checks to oversee performance of the basic pillars of government of the state viz; legislature, judiciary and executive.
Causes of corruption
After all why corruption has assumed such an alarming proportion? There is neither a single cause of corruption nor there is any sole cure for corruption. The primary cause of corruption in our society seems to be “Need and greed”. However, if examined thoroughly from all angles the root cause of corruption in our society is lack of character and not lack of money. One trouble is we do not regard it as detestable and do not abhor it. Numerous arguments are put forth for existence of corruption which include psychological factors (such as cut-throat, economic corruption. Culture of extravagance in society, indulgence in consumerism ostentatious living style beyond one ones income) a few people think that factor such as scarcity of adequate economic resources, favoritism, nepotism, political patronage of the corrupt elements, impurity from punishment of corruption elements impurity from punishment of corrupt elements, unconducive environment, permissiveness in our rearing ample opportunities for cor ruption etc are some of the cause of corruption.
Effects of corruption
It adversely affects every tier of state and every aspect of public life. It is anti-economic development; it is anti poor, anti social and anti state. It is one of the major impediments in achieving economics goals. It results in holding back from making progress. It breaks down total machinery of the Government. Today Pakistan is the most corrupt countries in the world and ranks 80 in the Corruption Perception Index compiled by the Transparency International a German NGO. Through there are countries which are still more corrupt than Pakistan yet at the same time we should not forgot that a large number of countries is still less corrupt than Pakistan. Corruption gives birth to vicious cycle of moral corruption, social corruption, financial corruption political corruption and bureaucratic corruption which ultimately culminates into a corrupt society which becomes highly incapable of affording respectable public life its people.
Similarly corruption free Society produces a virtuous cycle of honesty, agencies such as World Bank, IMF, ADB are very watchful of rendering financial assistance and avoid extending the same if the borrower record of corruption is high corrupt country losses handsome financial assistance of donors/lenders in this age of financial stringency.
Eradication of corruption
In view of the foregoing position eradication of corruption from the society seems a distant dream which will not come true. Numerous solutions are proposed to combat this menace such as
– Increasing the law enforcement and regulatory functions of state. – Guaranteeing of transparency, publicity and accountability in society.
– Pressure of public opinion.
– Honesty and ethics in society.
– Reforms in the administrative system.
– Appropriate changes in laws to NAB the corruption elements in society.
– Legislative changes.
– Empowering the public.
– Strong political will and public awareness.
– ZEffective role of civil society and media.
– Moral support to honest elements.
– Code of conduct for all civil servants.
– Formulation of the systematic anti-corruption strategy.
– Depoliticization of bureaucracy.
– Ethic-based policy.
– Value-based society.
– External and internal vigilance of Administrative system.
– Effective introduction of corporal punishment for corrupt elements.
· A visionary political leadership.
There is neither any ready-made formula nor any panacea for eradication of corruption. A normally bankrupt society can not have the courage to eradicate corruption. For this noble purpose character (which is not the result) text book education) is the appropriate weapon to tackle the problem. Cosmetics charges are not going to solve this problem. Important measures to tackle this aging problem may be:
(a) Creation of an independent agency invested with unfettered powers to investigate and prevent any individual no matter how powerful he may be. It may however be kept in view that when such a powerful and strong agency is created the very first problem which crops up is prevention of possible harassment of the innocent being investigated. The experience with which an agency shows that such an agency ever with unfettered power con not effectively eliminate corruption single handedly.
(b) Change in the mindset of society has to be developed to detest corruption.
(c) Zero tolerance of corruption.
(d) Society as a whole has to condemn corruption and corrupt elements in the strongest terms.
(e) The administrative system should not offer opportunities for corruption.
(f) Economic deprivation and economic disparities have to be brought to the minimal
(g) Myth that corruption is indispensable in our present society and cannot be eradicated has to be dispelled. Society has to accept that if it is determined and has the will to eradicate corruption it shall have a corruption-free and un-corrupt society.
We should keep in view that countries like USA, Great Britain, Hong Kong, Botswana and Singapore had high degrees of corruption. Most of the South East Asian countries, now called “Economic tigers” of Asia, had not as good record of being un corrupt countries as they enjoy today. To tread or the uncorrupt path introduction of various well-thought-out measures to tackle many facets of corruption is the need of time. We have to vocally declare “No to corruption and Yes to honesty’.
