Every day that passes, there are various items and articles of news in the mass media about corruption in the world and especially in America; Government officials, bureaucrats, local and international figures are named and shamed for having misappropriated public office for personal gain. Different research papers conclude that the cause of corruption can be credited to various reasons and varying levels of economic development and government policies. Corruption is a problem that has been around for a very long while and might still continue to be part of societal fabric if drastic and thorough steps are not taken by the government to curb and eliminate it. It is, therefore, a problem because not only does it hinder economic growth, transparency, and accountability, poverty is a direct effect of this. Researchers have found that corruption also discourages investment, limits economic growth and alters the compositions and specifics of government spending. The issue of corruption is interdependent to other issues in two parts: At a national level, people’s active and unbarred participation can be truly disrupted by corruption, more so while at the very local level, corruption makes everyday life more complicated due to the frequency of corrupt transactions ( Glaeser & Saks, 2004). This will explore corruption in America, with a key focus on why and where this vice is popular in the US, causes and what can be done to reduce or prevent corruption in future.
A report by Transparency International shows that in America, Mississippi has the highest rate of corruption prevalence followed closely by Louisiana, Tennessee, and Illinois. The state of Illinois has gained a lot of notoriety for having a high number of unsolved high profile corruption cases over the years. Corruption is least prevalent in the state of Florida, South Dakota and Kentucky. As far as industrial sector goes, corruption has a widespread reach and it is therefore nearly impossible to determine which sector is most affected. Politics, on the other hand, is where most corrupt transactions take place. Most of this is driven by the need to secure political seats or practice nepotism by awarding high-value contracts to relatives and friends ( Johnston, 1983).
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According to Vito (1998), the causes of corruption can be separated and discussed in two parts: direct and indirect factors. An example of direct corruption involves t axes based on clear cut laws and do not need one on one transactions between taxpayers and tax inspectors and or collectors are much less likely to lead to corruption But corruption is highly likely in cases where either the laws are somewhat difficult to understand and can be interpreted differently which requires taxpayers to seek assistance in compliance with the law, or where the tax payment requires regular and frequent contact between taxpayers and tax administrators . Other instances where corruption has a high likelihood of occurrence is where the wages of the tax administrators are very low and finally, where acts of corruption by tax administrators are overlooked, not found out, or when discovered are not penalized strongly.
Over the years, studies have deduced that corruption levels in the United States of America are directly proportional to the level of public sector wages. It can be speculated that need incentivizes corruption as seen in a situation where the wage of a public administrator or holder of the office is 15-25 times the salary of an average worker at minimum wage. Furthermore, it can be argued that there is corruption due to greed and further corruption due to need. (Silver, 2103)
In a number of states, the opaqueness in the rules, judicial laws, policies, and processes often creates a ripe breeding ground for corrupt practices. These rules are often written in complex and fairly difficult language that is not easily understood by a layperson unless with the costly help of a trained legal practitioner. The laws written down are often conceptually and linguistically difficult and can often be misinterpreted. Furthermore, these documents are not easily accessible and it often difficult to understand how certain decisions were reached and precedents made. (Glaser, 2004)
The final key factor the encourages corruption to flourish is , the example provided by those in positions of leadership. When leaders do not provide precedent that can be followed, either because they are corrupt themselves, which is more often or not the case, because they condone or do not punish the heinous acts committed by their relations, friends or fellow political allies, it can therefore not be acceptable of the civil servants to carry themselves differently. The effects of corruption are numerous and are widespread and span across social, political and economic facets of society ( Wolff, 2014).
In a system of society where corruption is rife, the people no longer have access to good quality of service because they will have to pay a pretty penny for it, even if they are legally entitled to it. If everything including goods and services has to be bought for a premium then the integrity of the service ceases to exist and those that cannot afford to pay the extra suffer unjustifiably. ( LaRaja & Shaffner, 2015). In addition to that, because so much money has been misappropriated, the quality of service is compromised and may more often that not meet industry or even basic safety standards. In an example of construction projects and corners are cut, the end product being rail or road works may end up being sub-par and thus endanger and potentially even end the lives of its frequent users.
Lack of a proper justice system and reporting processes contributes largely to the never ending cycle of corruption in America. The judicial system is rigged by politicians and individuals who can afford to bribe their way out of crime, this leaves innocent people to pay for the crimes of others and leave real culprits to walk free and in turn continue to spread rot in society ( Wolff, 2014). Moreso, the fear of whistleblowing hinders detection of corruption as the whistleblowers remain fearful of retaliation or the ramifications of their brave acts.
The slow or stunted growth of some sectors of the economy come as a direct effect of embezzlement or misuse of tax payers money. All funds meant to further the development ratio are misappropriated and directed to fatten the pockets of those in leadership. This leaves almost very little used for the purpose it was intended for ( Wolff, 2014) . A direct consequence of corruption is a rapid and drastic decrease in foreign investment. Stansbury points out that f oreign investors will be forced to turn back and direct funds elsewhere where corrupt practices are found to be common. Lack of funding for projects only serves to further stunt development. According to Stansbury, there are various measures that can be put in place by both the government, the public and private business entities to completely eliminate the corruption menace ( Tanzi, 1998) .
The statement that information is power rings true in this instance. So many people are completely unaware and remain ignorant of their rights and can easily be taken advantage of. They do not know about the types of corrupt offenses that are committed art their expense and that they form part and parcel of corruption. Corrupt officials often make fools of themselves by demanding bribes to people who know their rights. Empowering people to know their rights will go a long way in limiting the number of times that they can willingly oblige to pay bribes to acquire services that are rightly theirs. ( Tanzi, 1998).
Individuals found to be guilty of corrupt practices should be convicted and imprisoned. The weight of the sentence passed should be equivalent to the extent of the crimes committed. No one is above the law and this should apply to everyone, leaders should not be the exception to this rule. This will not only serve as a warning, it will further provide an example and set precedence, and hopefully, discourage those who hold any kind of office that the long arm of the law does indeed triumph. Furthermore, the faith of the people in the justice system will be restored and upheld. ( Winter & Maxwell).
The American federal government and respective state governments should put in place stiffer measures to ensure that any and all acts carried out within the confines of government institutions are transparent enough to be blameless. This is one of the key ways that corruption will eventually be eradicated. Our leaders or holders of public office should set an example worth following. These institutions can consequently not be expected to be devoid of corruption if the leadership does not provide an equivalent example. (Johnston, 1983)
In light of the above discourse, it is no secret that corruption plagues the American society, nevertheless, as long as capitalism remains one of the pillars of society that we are in, coupled with ever increasing projects by government in a bid to remain closer to the people, which in turn means more government officials and officers, it can be safely said that corruption is a menace that is not going anywhere anytime soon. Leaders in all positions should strive to maintain and uphold high standards of integrity and transparency in all the offices they hold. Those, if any, found guilty of these crimes should be prosecuted and convicted in a court of law. The same principle applies to other institution s including, the tax administration board, customs sector, public enterprises, among others . Institutions like these can consequently not be expected to be devoid of corruption if the leadership does not provide an equivalent example.
References
Glaeser, E. L., & Saks, R. E. (2004). Corruption in America . Cambridge, MA: National Bureau of Economic Research.
Johnston, M. (1983). Corruption and Political Culture in America: An Empirical Perspective. Publius, 13 (1), 19-39. Retrieved from http://www.jstor.org/stable/3330069
LaRaja, R., & Shaffner, B. (2015, October 25). Want to Reform Campaign Finance and Reduce Corruption? Here’s how. The Washington post . Retrieved April 13, 2017, from https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/monkey-cage/wp/2015/10/26/want-to-reform-campaign-finance-and-reduce-corruption-heres-how/?utm_term=.1e3706949642
Stansbury, C. (n.d). Road Projects: Why is there corruption? Retrieved April 28, 2017, from http://www.gtkp.com/themepage.php&themepgid=267
Silver, J. (2013, March 19). Discovered: A Cure for Political Corruption. Huffington po st. Retrieved April 28, 2017, from http://www.huffingtonpost.com/josh-silver/democracy-reform_b_2909150.html
Tanzi, V. (1998). Corruption around the world: causes, consequences, scope, and cures . Washington: International Monetary Fund.
Winter, R. F., & Maxwell, A. E. (n.d.). Political Corruption in America . Retrieved April 28, 2017, from http://citeseerx.ist.psu.edu/viewdoc/download?doi=10.1.1.372.2930&rep=rep1&type=pdf
Wolff, R. D. (2014, February 2). Political Corruption and Capitalism. Truthout . Retrieved April 28, 2017, from http://www.truth-out.org/opinion/item/21559-political-corruption-and-capitalis
