The term corruption generally carries a negative connotation and rightfully so. When the word hits the ears of the American people, they tend to think about three things: money, politicians, and secrets. The most common form of corruption usually involves all three aspects on some level. For the sake of this blog, we will be focusing on the realm of political or government corruption which is the use of powers by government officials for illegitimate private gain. An illegal act by an officeholder constitutes political corruption only if the act is directly related to their official duties, is done under color of law, or involves trading in influence. Political corruption takes place at the highest levels of the political system; therefore it can be differentiated from administrative or bureaucratic corruption. It can also be distinguished from business and private sector corruption.
While corruption comes in many different varieties, they can be narrowed down to two different forms. The first includes both accumulation and extraction where government officials abuse their power to extract money from the private sector, from government revenues, and from the economy at large. This takes many forms but examples can look like anything from extraction, embezzlement, rent-seeking, plunder and even kleptocracy ("rule by thieves"). The second form is one in which extracted resources (and public money) are used for power preservation and power extension purposes. This usually takes the form of favoritism and investment politics. It includes a politically motivated distribution of financial and material incentives, benefits, advantages, and rewards.
These illegal acts do not come without consequences, whether they are subtle or obvious, they do occur. When corruption happens, it ultimately undermines the whole purpose and belief in democracy and good governance. It violates the basic principle of republicanism, reduces accountability, distorts representation in policy making, compromises the rule of law, and it results in the inefficient provision of services. Ultimately, it creates distrust in government processes and procedures, resulting in citizen scrutiny and a lack of faith in our politicians.`
America has made a name for itself with regard to corruption in politics or government and often they have seemed strangely similar to the definitions and examples given above. However, it is particularly hard to measure corruption due to its varying forms as well as its often covert nature. Only when corruption is exposed and brought to light does anyone other than those involved gain knowledge of the act. The closest we can get to measuring corruption is looking at studies performed by those individuals whose professions involve assessing such events. Transparency.org, a non-governmental organization that monitors and publicizes corporate and political corruption in international development, conducted a study in 2014 that ranked the United States as the 17th most corrupt country. Depending on whether you see the cup as half full or half empty, this ranking could say a number of things about this country.
Kidada Dowell
While corruption comes in many different varieties, they can be narrowed down to two different forms. The first includes both accumulation and extraction where government officials abuse their power to extract money from the private sector, from government revenues, and from the economy at large. This takes many forms but examples can look like anything from extraction, embezzlement, rent-seeking, plunder and even kleptocracy ("rule by thieves"). The second form is one in which extracted resources (and public money) are used for power preservation and power extension purposes. This usually takes the form of favoritism and investment politics. It includes a politically motivated distribution of financial and material incentives, benefits, advantages, and rewards.
These illegal acts do not come without consequences, whether they are subtle or obvious, they do occur. When corruption happens, it ultimately undermines the whole purpose and belief in democracy and good governance. It violates the basic principle of republicanism, reduces accountability, distorts representation in policy making, compromises the rule of law, and it results in the inefficient provision of services. Ultimately, it creates distrust in government processes and procedures, resulting in citizen scrutiny and a lack of faith in our politicians.`
America has made a name for itself with regard to corruption in politics or government and often they have seemed strangely similar to the definitions and examples given above. However, it is particularly hard to measure corruption due to its varying forms as well as its often covert nature. Only when corruption is exposed and brought to light does anyone other than those involved gain knowledge of the act. The closest we can get to measuring corruption is looking at studies performed by those individuals whose professions involve assessing such events. Transparency.org, a non-governmental organization that monitors and publicizes corporate and political corruption in international development, conducted a study in 2014 that ranked the United States as the 17th most corrupt country. Depending on whether you see the cup as half full or half empty, this ranking could say a number of things about this country.
Kidada Dowell