Poorest suffer most from corruption, study says
Corruption is a constant presence in the lives of people around the world. And poor families are hit hardest by demands for bribes. These are the unsettling results of the Global Corruption Barometer 2007, (Link no longer active) published by Transparency International (TI) on 6 December, ahead of International Anti-corruption Day. After five years of surveying the general public’s views and experiences of corruption, the report shows that bribery is still prevalent in many countries, but that citizens are increasingly demanding accountability from their governments.
Tags: Poverty Analysis
I think that part of the problem with eliminating the kind of bribery discussed in the Global Corruption Barometer is that for many people with the power to do something, having to pay a bribe is viewed as an annoying but acceptable tax. My experience when I lived in Southeast Asia (admittedly some years ago) was that often the amounts of individual bribes were small, meaning that for people with money, they are a minor inconvenience or even an acceptable way of getting things done a little quicker. Those really hurt are those for whom even paying small amounts is burdensome…and they, of course, lack the power to change the system. You are right Susan. Many people living in bribery environment think, that giving a pack of top level coffee or box of chocolate or a bottle of liquor to medical specialist, a clerk in various offices or paying a small amount of money to a policeman for staring fine procedures is nothing. The “gifts” are small and their particular profit is worth the bribe. But there are managers, presidents of big companies, politicians and so, who think the same way but their bribes do not end on coffee pack. Their bribes are counted in thousands and even millions of dollars. In return the expect profitable official decisions, good valuable commercial contracts, and even political actions. But they still think nothing can be done, and many of them are ready to give another bribe or contribution to people who can stop counter corruption legislation for instance.2 Comments
I live a country where bribes were as common for years as making shopping in the supermarket. When the shop shelves were empty a “gift” forwarded to shop manager could give chance for Tv Set, furniture or children diapers. A bribe valued about half of predicted fine ticket given to policeman saved from receiving the ticket. When number of medical procedures and surgeries, for instance is critically low an envelope with some money given to a hospital resident can help get the surgery. And we are not talking about south asian country or a place in africa. we are talking about POland, a big European country.
For the last years all governments tried to fight the corruption, but results are mean. Of course people do not want pay bribes anymore, but if they wait for special license for month and the bribe can make it faster, who would not pay? If the governmental or administration official and clerks do not have enough knowledge and are underpaid they try to have additional tax-free income. The fight with corruption is hard and longterm one. It is like fighting with cancer. BUt it must be started if the nation wants to survive.
The more centralized and authoritarian country structure the more corruptive and bribery rich country. In the poor country when people lack common goods bribes let them get through.
However when the welfare and other aid is badly distributed the donors support corruption. It is like participating in sin.
I think that part of the problem with eliminating the kind of bribery discussed in the Global Corruption Barometer is that for many people with the power to do something, having to pay a bribe is viewed as an annoying but acceptable tax. My experience when I lived in Southeast Asia (admittedly some years ago) was that often the amounts of individual bribes were small, meaning that for people with money, they are a minor inconvenience or even an acceptable way of getting things done a little quicker. Those really hurt are those for whom even paying small amounts is burdensome…and they, of course, lack the power to change the system.
You are right Susan. Many people living in bribery environment think, that giving a pack of top level coffee or box of chocolate or a bottle of liquor to medical specialist, a clerk in various offices or paying a small amount of money to a policeman for staring fine procedures is nothing. The “gifts” are small and their particular profit is worth the bribe. But there are managers, presidents of big companies, politicians and so, who think the same way but their bribes do not end on coffee pack. Their bribes are counted in thousands and even millions of dollars. In return the expect profitable official decisions, good valuable commercial contracts, and even political actions. But they still think nothing can be done, and many of them are ready to give another bribe or contribution to people who can stop counter corruption legislation for instance.
I live a country where bribes were as common for years as making shopping in the supermarket. When the shop shelves were empty a “gift” forwarded to shop manager could give chance for Tv Set, furniture or children diapers. A bribe valued about half of predicted fine ticket given to policeman saved from receiving the ticket. When number of medical procedures and surgeries, for instance is critically low an envelope with some money given to a hospital resident can help get the surgery. And we are not talking about south asian country or a place in africa. we are talking about POland, a big European country.
For the last years all governments tried to fight the corruption, but results are mean. Of course people do not want pay bribes anymore, but if they wait for special license for month and the bribe can make it faster, who would not pay? If the governmental or administration official and clerks do not have enough knowledge and are underpaid they try to have additional tax-free income. The fight with corruption is hard and longterm one. It is like fighting with cancer. BUt it must be started if the nation wants to survive.
The more centralized and authoritarian country structure the more corruptive and bribery rich country. In the poor country when people lack common goods bribes let them get through.
However when the welfare and other aid is badly distributed the donors support corruption. It is like participating in sin.