WHO
Who is involved in government corruption? Who does it affect?
Government leaders, officials, politicians, big corporations; basically any individual or group who possesses a strong position of power or a substantial amount of wealth. These are the groups involved in government corruption.
As for who is affected by political corruption, it is everyday people who live under the power of these governments and depend on them, thus automatically affecting them.
Government leaders, officials, politicians, big corporations; basically any individual or group who possesses a strong position of power or a substantial amount of wealth. These are the groups involved in government corruption.
As for who is affected by political corruption, it is everyday people who live under the power of these governments and depend on them, thus automatically affecting them.
WHAT
What is government corruption?
Government corruption, also known as political corruption, is defined as, “the abuse of political power by the government leaders to extract and accumulate for private enrichment, and to use politically corrupt means to maintain their hold on power… Political corruption takes place at the highest levels of the political system, and hence it can be differentiated from administrative or bureaucratic corruption. It can also be distinguished from business and private sector corruption.” Government corruption can happen in which of two ways: |
- Government officials abusing their role in power to take money from places such as private sectors, government revenues, and from the economy in general. These illegal acts are called extraction, embezzlement, kleptocracy, etc.
- Government officials using this stolen money from resources or the public’s money to keep their role in power – called “power preservation”.
*Public sector = parts of the national economy that are which controlled by the government
- The public sector makes up ~20% of the US' economy
WHERE
![Picture](/uploads/1/5/6/6/15662812/251867697.png?531)
Where does political corruption occur?
Political corruption can and does happen in any country of the world – it is definitely a concern. The countries that are the most politically corrupt however, are: Somalia, North Korea, Afghanistan, (South) Sudan, Iraq, Uzbekistan, Libya, Eritrea... etc. These countries see corruption happen regularly with acts such as bribery, lack of punishment, and a significant disinterest for the care of the people.
Political corruption can and does happen in any country of the world – it is definitely a concern. The countries that are the most politically corrupt however, are: Somalia, North Korea, Afghanistan, (South) Sudan, Iraq, Uzbekistan, Libya, Eritrea... etc. These countries see corruption happen regularly with acts such as bribery, lack of punishment, and a significant disinterest for the care of the people.
WHEN
Since when has this been an issue?
Government corruption has been an issue ever since any time in history where there has been an authority or group in power who has taken advantage of their position for their own benefits.
What are the causes that lead to political corruption?
Causes that lead to political corruption are most commonly the greed for money and/or power by the government or wealthy, and if a country is already in poverty.
Government corruption has been an issue ever since any time in history where there has been an authority or group in power who has taken advantage of their position for their own benefits.
What are the causes that lead to political corruption?
Causes that lead to political corruption are most commonly the greed for money and/or power by the government or wealthy, and if a country is already in poverty.
WHY
Why is this an issue?
Political corruption is an issue because it makes those who are already rich, richer, and those who are poor, poorer. This type of corruption can transform a country with a democratic government into a country overruled by plutocracy. A democracy is supposed to be a government system working for the people of the country, aka the citizens, but a plutocracy is the opposite whereas this type of government is in favour of the wealthiest class to possess and control the power in the country. |
What are the implications of a corrupt government?
- A corrupt state of government is not interested in what is right and what actions can lead to the greater good, but is interested in where the greatest profit for themselves is
- Widens the inequality gap between the rich and the poor
- A corrupt government is not helping their country's economy at all
- Causes a distrust between the citizens and the government when the two should be working together
- Harms relations with other countries; foreign aid harder to get if a country is known to be hugely corrupted
- Keeps an impoverished country in poverty, does not help break the poverty cycle at all
- Government officials who take money out of public sectors for themselves = less money going to build/support schools, hospitals, infrastructure; things society needs