When we say corruption, we generally refer to dishonest or fraudulent conduct by those in power, typically involving bribery. While this generic definition of corruption is correct, we have to understand that corruption is a very broad term covering a wide range of misuse of entrusted funds and power for personal gain.

 

We are all used to talking about corruption, how it is prevalent in our society and how it is holding us back. Unfortunately, there is no scientific research done on the practices of corruption in Mokokchung. As such, it is very difficult to check corruption in this part of the world. Unless the causes of corruption are thoroughly researched, it will be difficult to suggest remedial measures. Certainly, there are laws to check corruption and mechanisms to punish the culprits but rarely are they put to good use because the ‘system’ simply does not allow it. If we are to address the problem of corruption, a disease that is ailing us to the marrow, we must first of all understand what corruption is. As rampant as it is, we are so used to living with it today so much so that we no longer recognize what is and what is not corruption.

 

There are many criminal and unethical acts that can constitute corruption. Corruption can be defined and categorized in different ways. The most common types or categories of corruption are supply versus demand corruption, grand versus petty corruption, conventional versus unconventional corruption and public versus private corruption. There are other categories or ways of describing corruption, such as “systemic” versus “individual” or “isolated,” corruption by “commission” versus by “omission,” by the degree of coercion used to perform the illegal act, and the type of benefit provided.

 

According to American academic Robert Klitgaard, corruption will occur if the corrupt gain is greater than the penalty multiplied by the likelihood of being caught and prosecuted. This is exactly what is happening in our society today. The corrupt are enjoying all the benefits without ever being caught, thereby encouraging and emboldening everyone to engage in corruption. Like, when was the last time you heard of a corrupt person prosecuted by law in Mokokchung?

 

As per a report published by the Journal of Economic Surveys 2017, there are various factors attributed to as causes of corruption: Greed of money, higher levels of political monopolization and low levels of democracy, weak civil participation and low political transparency, higher levels of bureaucracy and inefficient administrative structures, low press freedom, low economic freedom, gender inequality, poverty, political instability, low levels of education, lack of commitment to society, extravagance, unemployment and lack of proper policies against corruption.

 

The variable of “morality” or “integrity” has also been attributed by some researchers. The moral dimension, it is said, has an intrinsic component and refers to a “mentality problem” as well as an extrinsic component referring to circumstances like poverty which demoralize people and let them search for “alternative” solutions. Corruption is indeed not only a widespread problem but also a wide subject that needs to be adequately and consciously addressed. It cannot be simply wished away.

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