According
to the Oxford English Dictionary, corruption is “dishonest or fraudulent
conduct by those in power, typically involving bribery.” It corresponds to “the
action or effect of making someone or something morally depraved.” By
definition, people involved in corruption want to gain something (money in most
cases). There are two types of corruption (also called bribery): active
corruption (you promise and give a bribe), and passive corruption (you accept a
bribe). There are different degrees of corruption and it occurs in most sectors
of activity.
Corruption
isn’t a modern issue. It already existed during antiquity. At that time, the
venality of the citizens (i.e. of the men) was very strong and they usually
used money to reach their aims in society. This type of behaviour continued during the Middle Ages and then
during the Renaissance. Corruption became omnipresent. Nowadays, it is a major
issue; it is perhaps the norm in society, though it is seen very negatively.
Each year,
the German non-governmental organization Transparency
International publishes the Global
Corruption Barometer and the Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI). Thanks to their figures, the
organization can determine the level of corruption in each country and then
rank them.
Somalia,
South Sudan, North Korea, and Syria are the most corrupt, and Denmark, Finland,
Sweden and New Zealand are the least corrupt in the world. The principal aim of
Transparency International is to
fight corruption.
Why is corruption
on the rise?
Corruption
is linked to power. The people involved in corruption have power (financial,
political, and/or intellectual) and they usually want more, but does the power they
exercise inevitably lead to corruption? I would argue that it does not inevitably lead to corruption (there are “honest” politicians for example!),
but, in general, gaining (more) power and exercising and maintaining it, does
involve a degree of corruption and moral compromise…
The most
talked about corruption is that involving politicians. In France, Jacques
Chirac and Nicolas Sarkozy (two former Presidents), among others, have been
involved in bribery cases. Political corruption is a curse in many countries.
Recently, the Romanian population has taken to the streets to demonstrate their
disgust at the wide-spread corruption in the government.
The police
service has not been spared corruption. For example, the case involving
the New York Police Department in June 2016, when three commanders of the N.Y.P.D.
were arrested for accepting bribes from a Brooklyn businessman.
Corruption
is also common in the world of Sports. For example, in order to become the host
city for the Winter Olympic Games, the councilors of Salt Lake City bribed
members of the International Olympic Committee in 1995. Another case involves the
International Federation of Association Football): Sepp Blatter, the president
of FIFA from 1998 to 2015, gave $50,000 each year to the members of the
Executive Committee who had elected him (he was banned from all FIFA activities
in 2015). Match rigging is becoming ever more prevalent
too; many major football clubs bribe the referees and make money by placing bets
on the fixed results.
More surprisingly, corruption is also present in religious
organizations. Pope Francis admitted in February 2017 that there was a lot of
corruption in the Vatican. He hopes to reform the Church administration and get
rid of corrupt cardinals (who have become rich).
The educational system has corruption problems too. For example, certain
families bribe the university authorities in order to have their son or
daughter admitted despite poor grades.
Corruption helps people reach their aims even if they know it is illegal
and immoral. Luckily, some people are honest and don’t give in to corruption.
France is one of 48 members of the Group
of States Against Corruption (GRECO). This monitoring body set up by the
Council of Europe fights corruption and includes non-European states such as
the USA. GRECO strengthens the anti-corruption policies of its members. Here is
proof that lots of countries want to fight corruption in all its forms.
Bibliography
Wow!
ReplyDeleteVery interesting article.
I found it very complete.
The choice of the examples is relevant because they are in connection with current events.
You approach the theme of the corruption on numerous domains!
MP
Your article is very interesting. Indeed, you have found and explained examples in several areas. In addition, your argument is very well built with many logical connectors.
ReplyDeleteNevertheless, at the beginning of your essay, you put your opinion forward, while, at the end, you are hidden behind your examples and you don't give your opinion anymore. Also, I think there is something missing between your argument and the conclusion of your essay.
Your essay is very complete and interesting. Your examples are very concrete.
ReplyDeleteI would just add the 2018 Russia World Cup and the 2022 Qatar World Cup which are very important scandals in the theme of sport.
You can also speak about british deputies who have a website in order to fight corruption.
Nice written essay with a very interesting content. Your examples are relevant and illustrate the idea well, you make it clear for us and we don't get bored while reading your essay (which is an important point!).
ReplyDeleteOverall I believe that you made a very good work on this essay ! You can maybe give us more of your point of view at the end ?
Good job!