Police corruption is one of the most prevalent issues in the United States. The invention of camera phones gave everybody the ability to document the wrongful actions of police and have undermined the trust people had in the police authority. The presented video shows one possible case of police misconduct. This paper will analyze the ethics of this action.
Incident Classification
The video shows a large, male police officer pinning a small woman to the side of his patrol car. The woman must have been standing on the pavement before she was pinned because her feet are dangling off the ground. It is unknown what the police officer asks or tells the woman because only a few of the words are audible. The woman is distressed because her body language is very protective. She is also not struggling so there is no justification for this kind of force being applied to her. By the end, the woman was not charged with anything, so it is unclear why this incident occurred (Francis, 2016). I believe this incident can be classified as minor misconduct.
Justification for Classification
To justify this classification, I would like to overview the conditions for the use of force. While they are not strictly defined by any agency, their nature depends on the context of the situation and the need for self-defense of the officer, or others (“Police Use of Force,” 2017).
The officer in the video used physical and verbal restraint when the civilian was not visibly struggling to getaway. The complete context for this is unknown, but some information about the woman suggests she was aggressively yelling at a man who “propositioned” her before the officers arrived. However, this man is not seen in the video. The pinned woman was not armed and was physically weaker due to how easily he was able to hold her in midair. However, the woman did not receive lasting physical harm, lowering the level of misconduct (Francis, 2016).
Recommendation
This incident suggests that the officer is willing to overstep the boundaries of his authority without a just reason. His actions were not justified by the context and his partner did not do anything to stop him suggesting that both of them require disciplinary action. Both officers should be retrained to fully understand the situations where such force is permitted. The officer who perpetrated the misconduct should have a three-year discipline letter added to his file and should be suspended from specialty assignments for the next three months. These actions should serve as a just punishment because the actions of the officer do not reflect the position of the police department so he should not represent it in a specialty, and especially public setting.
Evaluation of the Type of Corruption
The type of corruption is hard to evaluate due to the lack of information on the incident, but it is a likely case of “rotten apples.” The severity of the force compared to the strength of opposition is such that it is hard to believe that this action was accidental or justifiable. However, the data shows that police misconduct in the DC area has already cost the state 31 million dollars which suggests that it is the case of “rotten barrels” rather than just the “apples” (“Police misconduct complaints,” 2016). Greater supervision of both the officer and the police of the state should be conducted to find the true cause of these actions, as well as the support of “whistleblowers” that might help uncover internal corruption.
Governments should implement adequate policies and measures to address the issues affecting their citizens. The use of powerful programs and initiatives can compel state officers to act ethically and improve citizens’ lifestyles. Democratic states are expected to address the needs of its people using public funds. Unfortunately, many developing nations have continued to grapple with numerous obstacles such as greed and corruption. These malpractices disorient the processes aimed at promoting the livelihoods and experiences of many citizens. In Latin America, corruption levels have continued to rise over the past few years. This research paper gives a detailed analysis of the nature of this problem and how it affects the welfare of different communities, regions, and citizens. Using the cases of Peru, Mexico, and Brazil, this research paper describes how corruption remains a nightmare in this region. Evidence-based recommendations are also presented to ensure that different governments and leaders tackle this predicament efficiently.
Background Information
Bersch, Praca and Taylor (2016) define “corruption” as a form of malpractice whereby individuals engage in unethical behaviors that are against the wishes of the people. This malpractice has been observed to hamper or affect the economic position of a given society. The quality of governance is usually weakened by fraudulent deals since the level of public trust reduces significantly. The effectiveness of political institutions is also disoriented by deeds that result in the loss of communal resources. The quality and nature of government is also affected by corruption.
van Dijk (2017) argues that many cases of corruption take place secretly. This means that only a few individuals in power tend to have access to various resources and finances that could have been used to address citizens’ needs. These unethical issues undermine the principles and tenets of a democracy. This is the case because the levels of openness and integrity reduce significantly. Additionally, this form of misbehavior creates a scenario whereby the existing political system becomes unequal. The research questions presented below will be used to analyze how corruption has remained a major issue in Latin America. Additionally, several case studies will be analyzed in order to understand the nature of this problem.
How does corruption affect societies in Latin America?
How do politicians, leaders, and presidents hide from the scandals of corruption?
Contemporary Corruption and Democracy: Case Studies
Brazil Political Crisis
Within the past four years, the government of Brazil has been grappling with a major scandal that features even the topmost leaders in the country. This issue has currently become a major political crisis that continues to affect the effectiveness of the democracy and its ability to address the emerging needs of the people. The infamous “Operation Car Wash” is a scandal that revolved around the malpractices of different construction organizations in the country. Avritzer (2017) indicates that many firms were observed to overprice their contracts with Petrobras, the nation’s oil company. The corporation’s leaders also supported these contracts in an attempt to entice politicians and be in a position to pursue their personal goals.
The background of this disgrace was that directors at Petrobras used bribes to offer contracts to different construction firms in Brazil. To make the matters worse, one of the leading political parties in the country by the name Workers’ Party was observed to use funds accrued from the contracts to buy voters throughout the campaign period (Avritzer 2017). The complexity of this indignity was unearthed after different politicians were implicated such as Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva (Pring 2017). The continuing investigation implicated many top government officials and leaders who had benefited from this malpractice.
The Brazilian president during the time, Dilma Rousseff, was found to have moved huge sums of public funds between budgets. This was a serious crime in accordance with the country’s laws. During the inquiry, Rousseff indicated that the practice was something common among Brazilian presidents. Some critics and analysts claimed that the former president was using such malpractices to weaken the integrity of different social programmes. This misbehavior was mainly aimed at boosting her chances of reelection in the year 2014 (Avritzer 2017). Although she argued that her rivals were using such excuses to make sure that she was not reelected, she eventually lost the case. After her impeachment, Mr. Tremor, who was Rousseff’s vice-president, was appointed to take over the presidency until the year 2019. Currently, his office has been tackling numerous accusations revolving around the corruption predicament and misuse of public resources.
The dismissal of Dilma Rousseff is an issue that has attracted the attention of many analysts and scholars since corruption has remained prevalent in Brazil and across Latin America. The charges against the former president included the violation of existing budgetary laws (van Dijk 2017). The crime was committed after she borrowed money from a bank owned by the state to conceal an existing deficit and increase her chances of reelection. Some analysts have argued that such charges were minor in comparison with some of the offenses committed by different government officials.
The impeachment and the decision to form a different government were powerful procedures that had potential to change the situation and make it impossible for different corruption scandals to be investigated successfully (Fischer et al. 2014). This means that most of the politicians and elites who had engaged in various malpractices would not be identified or punished. Despite such arguments and observation, it was quite clear that the country’s president had failed to implement and support adequate policies to address the challenges arising from corruption.
Although the impeachment of Rousseff due to her involvement in dishonest deals was successful, the country is once again in political bedlam (Balán 2014). Michel Temer, Rousseff’s successor, has found himself in a major predicament that revolves around various cases of corruption (Avritzer 2017). It is evident that Temer has been under investigation for various malpractices and misuse of public resources and funds. The latest tapes presented to different investigators revealed that Temer had approved hefty payments to one of the lawmakers in the country. The astounding fact was that the legislator had been imprisoned for engaging in unethical practices. With this kind of evidence, many analysts and experts believe that the current president has increased chances of being removed from office.
According to Temer, the country has been facing the current challenge since his predecessor failed to implement adequate measures to address the challenge of corruption and ensure that more people had access to public resources (Balán 2014). The current president has also been indicating that Rousseff encouraged the malpractice and even bribed different judges and lawmakers to conceal most of the wrongdoings committed by members of her political party. The leader has also been keen to assert that he inherited an office that was riddled with corrupt dealings and misdeeds.
van Dijk (2017) indicates clearly that Temer is presently being accused of malpractices that amount to corruption. He has also been found to commit numerous offenses such as obstruction of justice and racketeering. The biggest concern is that Temer has been on the safe side since many economists and professionals in the financial markets have been supporting him. They have pinpointed a number of initiatives such as austerity measures that have the potential to improve the country’s economic position or performance. With the use of various incentives aimed at strengthening the country’s institutions, many people have continued to offer adequate support to Temer.
In another interesting revelation, the form chief executive officer (CEO) of Petrobras indicated that the company had donated over 48 million US dollars to Mr. Temer and Ms Rousseff during the campaigns of 2014. This means that the two have been corrupt over the years. They have been using public money to pursue their political goals or interests. Balán (2014) acknowledges that Temer has been denying such fraud allegations. Instead, he has been observed to assert that the money benefited Rousseff but not him. This information shows that corruption has remained pervasive and continues to affect every sector of the Brazilian economy.
The blame game between Temer and Rousseff (and their respective followers) is something that reveals that honest forces that have reshaped and taken corruption to the next level. The nature of these classes and dishonesties will continue to affect the country’s political system and disorient its democratic position. van Dijk (2017) also asserts that the impeachment of Rousseff, who might not have committed serious offenses in comparison with Temer, is something that must have been informed by the political forces existing in the country.
This analysis shows that corruption is a major issue that has continued to undermine the nature of leadership in Brazil. Many political leaders have been implicated in many scandals that have affected the integrity of different institutions (van Dijk 2017). The level of trust among members of the public has decreased significantly. This is the case because the political system has continued to support the implementation of authoritarian measures that have only worsened the situation. It is also evident that this problem is promoted by many public officers and politicians who have been getting refuge from those in power.
Experts in political matters have argued that the events unfolding in Brazil reveal how the region is corrupt. Instead of dealing with this giant, many prosecutors and leaders have created an environment whereby the needs of different politicians appear to matter the most. The inability of prosecutors to address this predicament is something that has increased the level of public mistrust. Politicians and leaders in the country have continued to use existing connections and public institutions to protect themselves and their interests (Balán 2014). This means that they are still engaging in various malpractices that result in the loss of resources that could have been used to improve the level of welfare state in Brazil.
These malpractices have become part of this society. Corruption has spread to different areas and sectors because many Brazilians now believe that it is a critical attribute of this democratic nation. The driving force behind Dilma Rousseff’s removal was the desire to support a new regime that could promote national unity and address the challenges that continue to affect more citizens. From this analysis, it is evident that there is need for evidence-based measures to bring every person (including politicians and leaders) into account (van Dijk 2017). Brazilian institutions must be empowered and supported using adequate resources in order to deal with this problem and ensure that more people lead quality lives. Failure to embrace such measures, many citizens in the country will be affected significantly and find it hard to achieve their potential and meet the needs of their family members.
Peru Presidential Crisis
The events that have unfolded in Peru over the past few years reveal that corruption is a major challenge that affects many nations across Latin America (Alvarez 2015). According to different scholars, the plight of this country is comparable to the one unfolding in Brazil (van Dijk 2017). This is the case because the infamous Odebrescht corruption scandals have implicated many leaders, politicians, and contractors Peru. The executives of Odebrescht testified that they had offered large sums of campaign funds to many presidential candidates in this country, including Keiko Fujimori in the year 2011. Other presidential candidates also benefited from this scandal during the period.
The current crisis emerged when the leaders at Odebrescht, a construction corporation based in Brazil, indicated that they had paid bribes amounting to over 800 million dollars to acquire contracts in different Latin American nations such as Peru. A testimony by Odebrescht’s representatives revealed that the company had offered over 4.8 million US dollars to one of the companies controlled by Pedro Pablo Kuczynski. During the time, Kuczynski was one of the ministers in the Peruvian government led by Fujimori (Crabtree 2014). The accused also revealed that he had worked as an advisor to his firm, thereby increasing chances of being convicted.
Things took a new turn when Kuczynski decided to pardon the nation’s former president, Alberto Fujimori. At the time, he was serving 25 years in prison for all the atrocities committed during his reign. In his testimony, Kuczynski indicated that Fujimori’s health was worsening. This move, according to many scholars and analysts, was part of a strategy aimed at ensuring that Kuczynski survived any form of impeachment. Past studies have showed that Fujimori was a notorious leader who committed numerous offenses capable of affecting the lives of many people in the country (Alvarez 2015). Such violations on human rights made it impossible for Pedro Pablo Kuczynski to convince his supporters and explain why he chose to pardon the culprit.
Balasco (2016) believes that the move was part of a scheme to earn the trust of one of Fujimori’s sons who was a member of the Congress. By so doing, the president would gather adequate votes from the opposition-dominated Congress and survive any impeachment attempt. This scandal was reported to different members of the public. It was, therefore, evident that the Kuczynski’s allies were keen to solicit support from various politicians from the opposition party. They were also observed to offer hefty rewards to legislators in order to be on the president’s side.
The accusation against the leader is that he has committed numerous atrocities and offenses that reveal to the world that he is morally unfit and inappropriate to hold office as the country’s president. Many lawmakers and members of the public have asserted categorically that Pedro Pablo Kuczynski’s actions have the potential to plug the nation into chaos. It has also been alleged that different ministers and politicians have won contracts in an attempt to support the political decisions made by this president. The vote buying scandal has also been observed to dent his dreams and aspirations (Balasco 2016). Although judges have not implicated him directly to this offense, the fact of the matter is that the country has lost trust in him. With his involvements in various corruption cases and scandals, the president and members of his family have always been hiding from their mistakes. This means that a culture defined by corruption and impunity has become prevalent in this Latin American state.
Despite the fact that the president had initially promised to transform the country and make it the best place for every citizen, many analysts have indicated that the scandals experienced across Latin America have affected the lives of many people negatively. Additionally, studies have revealed that many people, including political players and ministers, have been implicated in numerous scandals in this country (Pring 2017). This is a clear indication that corruption remains a major challenge that makes it impossible for many people in Peru to get quality services and infrastructure.
The nature of corruption in Peru cannot be understood without examining the actions of Peru Fujimori. At the time of his election to become Peru’s president, Fujimori was seen by many scholars as a technocrat who could transform the country and improve people’s living conditions. His academic achievements could make it easier for him to implement appropriate programs and support economic development (Balasco 2016). During his reign, this leader tried to portray an image of integrity and honesty. However, it would later emerge that he was involved in a wide range of corrupt malpractices and dealings that affected the economy of the country.
According to different reports, Fujimori influenced the award of contracts to companies owned (or associated) by some of his relatives and friends (Balasco 2016). His appointments were questionable since most of the key positions in government were available to members of his family and community. Other studies revealed that the president bribed judges, politicians, and news media personalities in order to promote or maintain his image. For instance, a study conducted by Pring (2017) indicated that the leader was paying over 3.5 million dollars to congressmen, media executives, and lawmakers. These malpractices were pursued in an attempt to influence the decisions made in the country and control media houses. The ultimate objective was to control all aspects of the country and make it impossible for many people to question his leadership style. The fact that one of his sons is a congressman is something that proves that Fujimoto’s influence was quite high during his presidency (Alvarez 2015). He is also believed to have hatched a potent deal that led to his acquittal by his successor, Pedro Kuczynski.
This analysis is a clear indication that corruption has remained a critical predicament that shapes a wide range of activities, policies, and decisions made in Peru. The predicament has worsened since it revolves around presidents and their respective family members, politicians, lawmakers, and judges (Pring 2017). Consequently, members of the society have been unable to receive adequate support and resources from the government. The existing level of nepotism has affected the manner in which a wide range of resources are distributed such as in this country. Leaders such as Pedro Kuczynski have been accused of promoting a culture of bribery.
Many corporations operating in Peru have over the years been required to pay large sums of money to win government-sponsored projects and contracts. Companies that are linked to famous people and politicians tend to have increased chances of getting such deals (Pring 2017). The current bureaucracy existing in this nation makes it impossible for different public institutions to deal with corruption and other related malpractices. The fact that Fujimori’s release was a plan aimed at prolonging the president’s rule is something that raises crucial questions that should be answered by lawmakers in this country.
Balasco (2016) asserts that most of the corruption allegations that have faced Pedro Kuczynski within the past few years should encourage different leaders to address this quandary. His resignation has come at the right time since he had been planning to buy votes and ensure he survives any form of impeachment. This kind of misbehavior echoes the initiatives and practices embraced by many leaders and politicians across the country. Pring (2016) believes that the decision by a president to resign is something important since it can create the best environment for a given country to deal with the dangers of corruption. It also becomes an opportunity for more people to learn about the predicaments that have affected the nation over the years.
The culture that has dominated many Latin America has resulted in the establishment of a new form of democracy that condones corruption at the expense of people’s welfare. Since presidents and politicians have come up with powerful strategies that make it easier for them to hide from any form of corruption, there is need for nations such as Peru to implement evidence-based measures to instill fear, create corrupt-free public institutions, and strengthen the power of the judicial system (Alvarez 2015). This move will ensure that every corrupt politician in the country is identified and punished accordingly. More people in power and CEOs of giant corporations operating in the country will be ready to engage in desirable practices and avoid any form of corrupt dealing. The initiative will result in a new democratic system that seeks to promote economic development and address the needs of every citizen in Peru.
Peña Nieto and Narcotic Trafficking
Just like in the other nations in this region, Mexican corruption is a problem that has permeated almost every aspect of the economy. Freije (2015) believes that the malpractice has been supported by the government’s inability to implement transparent and effective strategies. The authoritarian leadership experienced in Mexico is a problem that has led to reduced accountability (Chayes 2016). Those in power consolidate power and apply it to support a wide range of corrupt deals. The history of this malpractice goes back to the mid 20th century when the Institutional Revolutionary Party (PRI) was in power. At the time, many politicians established a unique culture whereby individuals working as state officers formed networks characterized by patronage networks and the desire to pursue personal gains. Voter buying malpractices and bribing become common across the country during this period.
The challenge of organized crime explains why drug trafficking is a major issue that can be used to reveal the nature of corruption in this country. The strategic location of this nation in the region makes it easier for different cartels and criminals to be involved in drug trafficking. The problem of narcotics has continued to affect the lives of many citizens (Chayes 2016). The high demand for drugs such as marijuana and cocaine across the region explains why narcotics remain a major predicament in many nations, including Peru, Colombia, and Mexico. Drug cartels in this region have focused on the existing opportunities in the country and beyond to achieve their potential. These groups are known to coordinate the way various illegal drugs are produced, marketed, and transported from one region to another. The nature of political corruption in Mexico is a major opportunity that supports this kind of malpractice.
Cuadros (2016) believes that the current president of Mexico, Pena Nieto, is involved in this kind of syndicate in one way or another. This is the case because he has been reluctant to support the implementation of powerful laws and policies to deal with this predicament. The relationships formed between those in power and drug cartels have resulted in a scenario whereby the country is unable to deal with narcotics and drug trafficking. Bribes and incentives are used as tools to by those involved in the illegal business to achieve their aims (Chayes 2016). Different groups and factions have tried to have control over different areas, channels, and drugs. Consequently, the problem of narcotics is expected to affect the future of this country.
Enrique Pena Nieto has also been struggling with numerous scandals that have been following him. To begin with, his presidency brought PRI back to power after many years. Initially, many people were optimistic that this new president would create a safer country and support their welfare. However, most of the challenges associated with authoritarianism appeared to affect the country throughout his presidency (Freije 2015). Chayes (2016) indicates that numerous problems such as corruption and drug trafficking prevailed during his reign.
In 2014, Neto was implicated in numerous corruption malpractices. The outstanding one revolved around the purchase of multimillion dollar buildings from different contractors working for the national government (Freije 2015). The scandal also featured other people such as Angelica Rivera, the president’s wife, and Luis Videgaray (the nation’s minister of finance). The investigation team was led by one of Neto’s close associate, thereby forcing many citizens to question the legitimacy of the process.
In yet another scandal, several journalists were fired after presenting a story that revealed how the purchase was done. This scandal attracted numerous protests since many people were unhappy with the dismissal. According to many people, these journalists were punished for implicating the president and his close friends in this multimillion-dollar scandal (Cuadros 2016). This analysis shows clearly that Neto’s government is corrupt and has failed to implement powerful measures to deal with this predicament. The fact that many cartels engaged in drug trafficking, violence, and crime has thrived under Neto’s regime is a clear indication that he supported the malpractices. His government has also failed to implement powerful measures and policies that can address this problem.
From this analysis, it is evident that Mexico remains one of the most corrupt countries in Latin America. As indicated earlier, drug cartels use existing networks and ineffective systems to acquire, market, and transport illicit substances (Faughnan, Hiskey & Revey 2014). Different government officials, politicians, and leaders of giant corporations have been part of this syndicate. The problem has worsened since there are no adequate mechanisms and frameworks to deal with organized crime. Currently, corruption has become a common practice that dictates the way different organizations, criminal groups, and politicians pursue their goals. The challenge has made it impossible for average citizens in the country to realize their potential.
Recently, the president of Mexico indicated that his government was committed and ready to deal with organized crime (Freije 2015). Despite such assurances, reports indicated that very little (if any) measures had been put in place to deliver positive results. During his presidency, the number of organized crime gangs and cartels has continued to rise. The situation has also worsened since many people are affected by the actions and criminal activities associated with these groups.
Government appointments are usually done without following existing laws and policies. For instance, the president of Mexico was observed to appoint one of his friends to chair the committee intended to investigate the housing scandal whereby he had been named. Similar malpractices have been observed in almost every aspect of the country’s government. The police force is also one of the most corrupt in the region (Tromme & Otaola 2014). This happens to be the case because many departmental leaders and officers collaborate with cartels in order to support their goals. Many police officers have been mentioned in a number of corruption scandals and cases of bribery. The problem has worsened since the existing policies are not used efficiently to deal with any form of malpractice.
Organized crime is a major obstacle that disorients different aspects and functions of government. For instance, criminals have been observed to bribe different officials who should be keen to protect and safeguard the rights of the public. This is the case because they give bribes to ensure that different police officers support their aims (Tromme & Otaola 2014). They also collaborate with judges to avoid being sentenced or imprisoned. This is a clear indication that the problem of corruption has made it impossible for different public offices and institutions to meet the needs of the people.
The media is another sector that has not been left behind. Politicians, criminals, leaders, and cartels have managed to influence different media houses (Forne 2016). Individuals engaged in criminal activities threaten media personalities and even attack different sources. They have been observed to work with politicians, cartels, and the military to pursue their objectives. This is the reason why many professionals and journalists working for various media houses have acknowledged that press freedom is something lacking in Mexico. Government officials have also been reported to kill, injure, or threaten journalists. According to Faughnan, Hiskey and Revey (2014), the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) indicated that around 32 journalists had died in Mexico from 2005 to 2007.
The involvement of politicians, government officials, and public institutions in a wide range of corruption scandals is a clear indication that Mexico has a major challenge that should be addressed using evidence-based measures (Forne 2016). The president has failed to come up with adequate indicatives that can address these challenges and ensure that more public officers are accountable for their actions. This change is critical since many people have been unable to achieve their goals. It has also become impossible for the government to deliver adequate services to its citizens. The economic position of Mexico has been affected significantly by the existing level of corruption.
Tromme and Otaola (2014) believe strongly that adequate measures will be needed if the current problem of corruption is to be dealt with in this Latin American country. The first approach that has the potential to deliver positive results is the application of coordinated efforts among different governments in the region. This approach will ensure that more organized criminal gangs and cartels are identified and stopped. Secondly, appropriate measures aimed at addressing the challenge of drug trafficking will work effectively in dealing with this predicament. Freije (2015) argues that different government officials (including the president) should become ethical and moral. This practice will make tem responsible and be on the frontline to support specific projects that have the potential to meet the changing needs of every Mexican.
Panama Papers, Paradise Papers, and Odebrescht
A study by van Dijk (2017) revealed that corruption was one of the biggest challenges that affected the economic and democratic positions of many countries in Latin America. Most of the reports released by agencies such as the Transparency International always indicate that many nations in this region have implemented adequate measures to deal with this vice. This scourge, according to Balán (2014), is a major obstacle that has disoriented the lives of citizens. According to van Dijk (2017), around 30 percent of the population in Latin America is facing numerous problems that arise from the increased levels of corruption. This situation has worsened since many leaders and presidents have continued to tolerate malpractices and misbehaviors that result in the loss of public funds (Bersch, Praca & Taylor 2016). Consequently, contemporary corruption has resulted in the establishment of societies and democracies that promote inequality. The quality of social/state welfare in many countries across Latin America has been disoriented significantly by this predicament.
The “Panama Papers” is a term used to refer to over 11 million leaked articles and documents from an anonymous publisher or source. According to these reports, thousands of individuals had been involved in a wide range of malpractices such as tax evasion, murder, and corruption (Cockcroft & Wegener 2017). These papers mentioned many leaders and politicians in Latin America who had been involved in various malpractices that affected the welfare of many citizens across the region. Great leaders from this part of the world such as Mauricio Macri, the president of Argentina, had been mentioned (Bernstein 2017). The documents also indicated that Cristina Fernandez and Nestor Kirchner had been involved in numerous scandals and corrupt cases. Another key figure mentioned was Lionel Messi from Argentina (Bernstein 2017). It was reported that the famous footballer had engaged in a scandal that revolved around the Panamanian Company. This means that many famous persons in Argentina were involved in various scandals that affected the welfare of the people.
In Brazil, several people were identified for their involvement in a number of corruption scandals. These included a former parliamentarian by the name Joao Jose Pereire de Lyra and Eduardo Cunha. These politicians were also reported to have been involved in a number of cases surrounding the dealings of Odebrescht (Cockcroft & Wegener 2017). This means that many politicians and leaders in Brazil had been involved in various scandals. Similarly, the directors of a company in Chile named Chilean Mining Group (Raimundo Langlois Vicuna and Alfredo Ovalle Rodriquez) had partnered with the leaders of Sierra Leone S.A. to swindle public money. Their involvement led to the loss of millions of US dollars that could have been used to deliver various services to the people of Chile.
Galo Chriboga, the General Attorney (GA) of Ecuador, was mentioned after his decision to establish his private company in Panama (Cockcroft & Wegener 2017). The name of the organization was Madrigal Finance Corporation. According to the sources, chances were high that the individual must have diverted public money to form this organization (Bersch, Praca & Taylor 2016). Investigations are underway in order to establish the fact of the matter. In Guatemala, the Panama Paper revealed that several politicians such as Marllory Chacon Rossell had laundered millions of dollars aimed at constructing roads and improving the quality of medical services available to different people in this nation (Bernstein 2017). The money laundering scam was supported by one of the law firms in Panama.
Juan Armando Hinojosa, one of the leading contractors of Pena Nieto, was also reported in the Panama Papers. According to the report, the contractor had been involved in various cases that led to the loss of huge sums of public money (Bernstein 2017). Currently, the individual has been enjoying the protection and support of Nieto’s presidency. From this analysis, it is quite evident that corruption has remained a major obstacle since it is supported by politicians, lawmakers, and leaders of giant corporations in the country.
This revelation shows that politicians have been involved in numerous scandals and corruption cases. The Paradise Papers, another anonymous report by two Germans, indicated that many politicians in Latin America had acquired huge sums of public money and investments offshore (Bersch, Praca & Taylor 2016). The papers implicated presidents, attorney, and lawmakers who had positive relationship with those in power. For example, Blairo Borges Maggi, the Agriculture Minister of Brazil, had registered a company by the name Amaggi and LD Commodities using stolen funds (Cockcroft & Wegener 2017). This was the same case for the Minister of Finance by the name Henrique de Campos Meirelles whose foundation was benefiting from public resources.
Juan Manuel Santos, the president of Colombia, was found to have been engaging in shady dealings relating to a number of offshore organizations. From these papers, it is quite clear that many officials and politicians in Latin America have made corruption a defining feature of the region (Berryman 2016). The use of public funds to pursue personal gains and establish large empires is a common malpractice that has continued to affect the effectiveness of many democracies in Latin America. As a result, many people have embraced the malpractice, thereby making it impossible for different citizens to receive quality government services.
The true picture of corruption in Latin America can be understood by focusing on the major scandals revolving around Odebrescht. Berryman (2016) believes strongly that the Odebrescht case is a corruption syndicate or probe that has implicated many politicians in the region. Odebrescht is a giant construction company that has designed many stadiums, metro systems, and airport terminals across Latin America. Investigations focusing on corruption in the region realized that the company had been involved in numerous cases that have undermined its ethical image (Berryman 2016). According to different leaders at the Odebrescht, the organization had been paying huge bribes in many countries across Latin America to win contracts. The investigators also observed that similar corruption cases and dealings had occurred in African countries such as Mozambique and Angola.
The corrupt scandals appear to differ from one country to another (Cockcroft & Wegener 2017). For instance, many individuals working for the company made extensive networks and connections with politicians and those in power. The ultimate goal was to win numerous contracts and be associated with the elites in the region. In Brazil, for example, over 30 percent of ministers working for the government were found to have received bribes from the company. The fact that the company constructed many stadiums and infrastructure for the 2014 World Cup is a clear indication that the allegations are true. The country’s Foreign Minister was one of the leaders who received such payments. The chief of staff was also mentioned.
Jorge Glas, the Vice President of Ecuador, received over 13 million US dollars from the company in order to secure a wide range of government contracts. Glas would earn himself a sentence of 6 years in jail because of the misbehavior. The company donated huge sums of money to different politicians in Brazil for campaign purposes. In Colombia, a former senator received large sums of money from Odebrescht. The campaigns of 2011 and 2006 in Peru were funded using money received from Odebrescht (Cockcroft & Wegener 2017). This is the reason why Ollanta Humala is currently being investigated for engaging in such dishonest dealings.
In Peru, Keiko Fujimori has been under investigation because it is believed that he received a lot of money from this Brazilian company. However, she acknowledged that she did not receive financial support from the company. Many experts believe strongly that she has been involved in numerous scandals and cases that have resulted in the loss of public money. The leaders at Odebrescht have indicated categorically that many politicians, opposition parties, and ministers in many countries received funds from its employees (Bernstein 2017). The company also revealed that unique systems that had not been connected to its mainframe computers were considered to engage or communicate with different politicians. This move was considered in an attempt to reduce chances of detection (Cockcroft & Wegener 2017). The case of Odebrescht reveals how different politicians have been using their positions to accrue wealth and pursue their personals gains. Consequently, the state of welfare has declined significantly in the region. Areas such as infrastructure, public health, and social programs have been dented by this predicament.
Conclusion
This research paper has examined a wide range of corruption scandals that have been reported in many countries across Latin America. This is a clear indication that many governments, politicians, and lawmakers have failed to put in place adequate measures to deal with any form of unethical behavior. The involvement of many public officers and their leaders is something shows how corruption remains a critical challenge in this region. Unless evidence-based policies and laws are supported in this region, corruption will continue to affect the livelihoods of many people.
Reference List
Alvarez, JP 2015, ‘Low-level corruption tolerance: an “action-based” approach for Peru and Latin America’, Journal of Politics in Latin America, vol. 7, no. 2, pp. 99-129.
Avritzer, L 2017, ‘The impeachment of Dilma Rousseff: introduction’, Critical Policy Studies, vol. 11, no. 3, pp. 349-351.
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Balasco, LM 2016, ‘The double transition of transitional justice in Peru: confronting the appeal of iron-fist policies’, The International Journal of Human Rights, vol. 20, no. 8, pp. 1177-1198.
Bernstein, J 2017, Secrecy world: inside the Panama Papers investigation of illicit money networks and the global elite, Henry Holt and Company, New York.
Berryman, P 2016, Latin America at 200: a new introduction, University of Texas Press, Austin.
Bersch, K, Praca, S & Taylor, MM 2016, ‘State capacity, bureaucratic politicization, and corruption in the Brazilian state’, Governance: An International Journal of Policy, Administration, and Institutions, vol. 30, no. 1, pp. 105-124.
Chayes, S 2016, Thieves of state: why corruption threatens global security, W. W. Norton, New York.
Cockcroft, L & Wegener, A 2017, Unmasked: corruption in the west, I. B. Tauris Limited, London.
Crabtree, J 2014, ‘Funding local government: use (and abuse) of Peru’s canon system’, Journal of the Society for Latin American Societies, vol. 33, no. 4, pp. 452-467.
Cuadros, A 2016, Brazillionaires: the godfathers of modern Brazil, Profile Books Limited, London.
Faughnan, BM, Hiskey, JT & Revey, SD 2014, ‘Subnational electoral contexts and corruption in Mexico’, Journal of Politics in Latin America, vol. 6, no. 1, pp. 45-81.
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The top political brass of Mexico is to blame for the misfortunes in the country. The ruling class posses the means of productions ranging from finances to machinery. They use these massive resources to influence the voting process. Politicians collude with businesspersons and drug lords to capture the state machinery making it hard for the law enforcers to maintain law and order. The proceeds from drugs are extended to political parties with parties returning paybacks by supporting policies that do not interfere with the illegal business. Parties receive enormous funding during elections from the drug lords. The drug lords have developed string ties with influential politicians who champion their interests in parliament and in government.
The police receive clear instructions from cabinet officials not to seize goods belonging to specific individuals. The non-cooperative businesspersons are frequently harassed and even sometimes their properties vandalized in order for them to cooperate. For an individual to engage in trade, he or she must part away with something. This means that security agencies have turned out to be the rich man’s property. The police force is instructed to either executive some individuals or withhold their property (Horwitz, 2004). Farmers are not favored either because they are compelled to dispose of their produce at a throwaway price mainly because of threats. Just like in Columbia, where the drug lords have taken over the leadership of the state, introducing their own administrative system referred to FARC, Mexico is also headed the same direction.
Mexico’s Political and Social Culture
Mexicans in the real sense have a strong logic of statehood rooted in common history and the overriding religion as well as language. In early 1920s, the state was separated from the church. This led to separation of powers meaning that the state operated independently from the church with church leaders being restricted to spiritual positions. This separation led to reduced influence of the church in political activities (Horwitz, 2004). However, religion still influences voter behavior during elections. Through religious beliefs and associations, another political culture referred to as patron-client relationship has developed in recent years.
This structure of connections based on personal associations and enigmatic leadership has always offered a strong unity to an agrarian Mexican society. Finally, economic dependency is another political culture that has influenced Mexican present cultures. The state is more dependent on the country’s colonial master Spain as well as the dominant neighbor, the U.S. The patron client system is one of the cultures that have affected the state so much as far as corruption is concerned. The citizens have the habit of expecting rewards from the political elite. This system has taken root in the country for quite some time (Feige, 2003).
Effects of Drugs on the Economy in Mexico
The resources obtained from the sale of drugs inflate the country’s economy. It becomes hard for the government to control the key sectors of the economy such retail and wholesale, foreign exchange and taxation. Generally, drug lords destabilize the economy in many ways. The trade in drugs raises insecurity mainly because of conflicts among the traders (Feige, 2003). Each drug lord always struggles to monopolize a particular market hence applying force and brutality. It is therefore not surprising that drug trafficking affects social organization in the society.
References
Feige, L. (2003). “Dynamics of Currency Substitution, Asset Substitution and De facto Dollarization and Euronisation in Transition Countries.” Comparative Economic Studies, 45(3) 358-383.
Horwitz, S. (2004). “Cigarette Smuggling Linked to Terrorism.” The Washington Post. Web.
Political ethics refers to the practice of practicing moral judgment with regard to actions, decisions, and behaviors that are associated with political processes (Fredrickson and Rohr 23). There are two main areas of political ethics, namely ethics of process and ethics of policy (Grcic 35). The ethics of the process deals with the methods that public officials apply in the execution of their duties. On the other hand, ethics of policy deal with the judgments that holders of public office make with regard to policies and laws (Grcic 35).
The aforementioned concepts have their basis on moral and political philosophy. One of the most critical issues that contradict the precepts of political ethics is political corruption. Corruption is one of the most destructive challenges that many nations face today. It entails the use of power by government officials for the sole purpose of gaining personal advantages at the expense of national good (Fredrickson and Rohr 26). I chose this topic because political corruption is one of the greatest challenges that developed and developing countries face in today’s society. It has negative consequences that include distortion of public policy, misallocation of resources, embezzlement of public funds, destruction of good governance, and underdevelopment of public and private sectors. Political corruption exists in all countries and harms their systems of economic and political governance through the misuse of power.
Political Corruption
Political corruption refers to the act of misusing power in order to win personal advantages or gains at the expense of public interest (Grcic 18). It includes bureaucratic behaviors that deviate from political ethics, which require government officials to maintain accountability, responsibility, and transparency in their dealings, especially if they involve official duties (Lansford 28). The primary form of political corruption is bribery, which occurs when a government official receives or gives the money in exchange for favors. Other common forms include extortion, influence peddling, graft, funds embezzlement, and nepotism (Garcia 43).
Political corruption has several consequences that affect the quality of governance and the reputation of any government that is associated with corrupt leaders. Common forms of political corruption in developing countries include oppression, rigging during electoral processes, mistreatment of political opponents, and police brutality (Garcia 43).
The state is always a party in political corruption because individuals who misuse power for personal gains are its representatives. Therefore, it is the responsibility of the government to identify and annihilate all forms of corruption perpetrated by its officials. Political corruption can also be defined as any deviation from the rules of conduct that govern the behavior of individuals who hold public offices (Lansford 29). It takes place between government organizations, public officials and businesses, and private businesses. Most political scientists define political corruption as the conversion of public resources into private resources using illegal means. This implies that state and private sector representatives take part in corrupt activities. A broader definition encompasses the role played by politicians and public representatives through their failure to abide by the rules and codes of conduct that govern their jobs—disregarding political ethics results in unethical action and decisions that constitute corruption.
Causes of Corruption
Political corruption has numerous causes that include economic and political factors, poor systems of governance, and lack of moral ethics by individuals (Garcia 48). Several research studies have shown that corruption decreases as the economic prosperity of a country increases. According to a report released by the World Bank, countries that record high incomes experience lower levels of corruption compared to countries with low incomes. Another cause of corruption is the lack of personal moral ethics on the part of leaders (Lansford 32). People give and receive bribes because of the need to acquire unfair advantages and gains at the expense of other people.
For instance, an individual might offer a bribe in order to pay lower taxes, get a promotion at work, win a government contract, or ascend to power. Politicians engage in corruption for several reasons that include patronage, insurance in case they lose power, and maintenance of certain standards of living. These forms of corruption emanating from the unwillingness of politicians and government agents to follow certain codes of ethics that define their jobs as government officials.
Many countries experience corruption because of poor systems of governance (Harris 47). First, government projects and programs have poor structures and implementation procedures that create loopholes, which encourage officials to engage in corruption. For instance, the need for registration, possession of licenses, and participation in bidding processes encourages corruption. Secondly, many government institutions lack proper accountability and transparency procedures that could aid in annihilating corruption (Garcia 51). For example, few institutions require officials to declare their wealth immediately after ascending to power. Wealth declaration would help to determine whether they are corrupt or not depending on the growth of their riches during their period of service. On the other hand, there is weak enforcement of laws that are enacted to deal with corruption matters (Harris 49).
Law enforcement agencies encourage corruption by failing to apprehend, investigate, and punish individuals who misuse their powers through engagement in dishonest deals (DeLeon 37). In many countries, the legislature is closely affiliated with the ruling party. Therefore, it performs based on the control exerted on it by government officials. Third, poor incentives encourage people to engage in corruption because of the need to make more money to cater to their financial needs (Lansford 33). It is important to offer fair remuneration that matches the responsibilities bestowed on officials. Otherwise, they will use ways that defy ethics to satisfy their needs.
Consequences of Corruption
Corruption has numerous economic and political consequences. It affects economic development negatively by reducing investments from foreign investors, mainly due to the bad reputation it creates (DeLeon 39). Foreign investments are an important aspect of a country’s economic growth because they bring in money and opportunities in the form of foreign exchange. In addition, they improve trade and diplomatic relations between countries. A corrupt country is likely to receive economic sanctions from developed countries and institutions such as the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund (Harris 56). These sanctions affect them negatively because they stall economic growth and erode their reputation in the international arena. Moreover, corruption affects entrepreneurship, taxation policies, local investments, and governance (Teachout, 55).
Poor governance results in poor infrastructure, ineffective development programs, and poor leadership (Harris 57). Corruption affects the private sector adversely by raising the cost of conducting business, promoting unfair competition, and increasing the risk of breach of agreements (DeLeon 40). Several studies have shown that corruption reduces the costs of running businesses by eliminating bureaucracy. However, it results in the introduction of more stringent rules by officials who seek personal gains by misusing their power. Corruption also inflates business costs by favoring firms that have enough connections to manipulate the business playing field through bribes (Harris 58). Unfair competition has adverse effects on economic growth and stability, especially in developing countries.
Environmental destruction is another consequence of corruption because many companies and firms use bribes to circumvent legislation meant to protect the environment (DeLeon 43). This has been observed mainly among huge multinational companies that have both financial and political influence. Other consequences include the prevention of unionization, prevalence of child labor, and violation of human and labor rights (Funderburk 86). These unethical ills occur because firms use money and other financial incentives to manipulate the implementation of certain laws that govern how workers are treated. In addition, many government officials are usually connected with various companies that operate, especially in the private sector (Teachout 58). Therefore, they use their power and influence illegally to protect them and promote their activities.
Corruption has far-reaching consequences, especially on humanitarian aid. A report released by the World Bank indicated that the money offered to develop countries in Africa and Asia is not used for the intended purposes and is instead embezzled through corrupt dealings that involve government officials (DeLeon 46). In many countries, humanitarian aid is diverted from the intended purposes through the manipulation of assessment, registration, and distribution processes. Donations offered for shelter and construction purposes are embezzled through substandard work, favoritism, and issuance of contracts to specific individuals and companies with connections (Funderburk 87).
Government officials use their influence to award contracts to companies that they are affiliated with. Access to aid is sometimes restricted to people of a certain region or ethnic affiliation. Finally, the statistics of needy people are usually manipulated by officials in order for them to receive more aid than necessary. The extra is siphoned into individual accounts.
Politically, corruption affects governance in various ways. The extent of political consequences depends on the type of corruption and ways in which the converted resources are used. In general, political corruption undermines the authority and influence of state institutions, as well as their political role in governing the nation (DeLeon 54). Citizens obey and support political regimes that oppose corruption, promote transparency, and hold officials responsible for their actions. Corruption taints the reputation of the ruling government as well as its leaders. In addition, it undermines democracy and its legitimacy (Harris 64).
This happens through a lack of regard for law and democratic processes. Policymaking is also affected when corruption infiltrates the legislature, judiciary, public administration, and election governing bodies. This form of corruption compromises the rule of law and annihilates responsibility, accountability, and proper provision of government services (Harris 64). The reputation of a government is eroded in case its legal procedures are ignored and disobeyed, as well as if its resources are converted from public to personal uses.
Ways to Combat Corruption
Corruption can be eradicated by forming independent democratic institutions to oversee the activities of government officials. These institutions should be given the power to create rules, policies, and mechanisms to detect and punish corrupt leaders (Funderburk 89). Corruption in many countries is difficult to eradicate because watchdog bodies are part of governments that fund and oversee their activities. It is impossible to end corruption if a government creates a body to end corruption and gain control of its activities through funding. Another strategy that can be used to end corruption is the privatization of government institutions. Corruption is prevalent because of poor governance and a lack of proper mechanisms to oversee the activities of various institutions (Harris 67).
The private sector has well-developed mechanisms that hold officials accountable and require transparency in all transactions conducted on behalf of different organizations (Lansford 66). In addition, power is not localized to one official. It is spread throughout the organization in such a way that a single individual cannot conduct business on behalf of the organization without the knowledge of other stakeholders. The civil society plays an important role in checking governments to ensure that they follow the rule of law (Roberts and Sutch 85). Increasing the involvement of civil societies in governance is also an effective way of combating corruption. Parliaments should also create laws that promote the accountability of officials and that control the processes of resource allocation (Funderburk 90).
Finally, the media should get actively involved in politics in order to ensure that government officials refrain from corruption. The media is very effective in identifying and discouraging corruption during electoral processes (Lansford 67).
Philosophies
Political corruption is addressed under political and moral philosophy. Political philosophy encompasses disciplines such as politics, law, liberty, justice, and law enforcement. It refers to dominant and accepted political beliefs or views regarding politics in society. On the other hand, moral philosophy deals with ethics and how people should act, behave, and live. The two philosophies contain concepts that address the aforementioned political ethics topic of political corruption. Corruption is prevalent because people disregard and disobey the precepts of moral and political philosophy that are critical to the sustenance of any society (Roberts and Sutch 67).
Normative ethics is a branch of moral philosophy that deals with the creation of a moral framework that determines good and bad behavior. This concept is used to create political ethics that govern the behaviors and actions of government officials.
Conclusion
Corruption is a political ethics issue that is important, especially due to its effects on the governance of both developed and developing nations. Its major causes include poor systems of governance, lack of individual ethics, greed for economic prosperity, lack of proper incentives, slow judicial processes, and lack of transparency and accountability by government officials. Forms of political corruption include funds embezzlement, graft, and fraud. Corruption has severe consequences on governments and citizens. It discourages and reduces foreign investments, erodes the legitimacy and reputation of governments, demeans democracy, and promotes poor governance. Moreover, it promotes environmental destruction, encourages unfair competition in the business sector, and enhances poverty by diverting humanitarian aid to serve individual interests.
It can be annihilated by creating independent watchdog institutions to oversee government activities, increasing the participation of civil societies and the media in politics, and using the parliament to create laws that control resource allocation. The privatization of government institutions would increase accountability and improve governance. Poor governance systems are primarily responsible for creating cultures that encourage corruption through weak enforcement of laws and insufficient remuneration of officials. Corruption undermines the tenets of moral and political philosophy. These philosophies determine god and bad actions and encompass concepts such as justice, law, politics, and morality.
Works Cited
Bell, Daniel. Confucian Political Ethics. New York: Princeton University Press, 2010. Print.
DeLeon, Peter. Thinking About Political Corruption. New York, Routledge, 2015. Print.
Fredrickson, George, and Rohr John. Ethics and Public Administration. New York: Routledge, 2015. Print.
Funderburk, Charles. Political Corruption in Comparative perspective: Sources, Status and Prospects. New York: Ashgate publishing Ltd, 2012. Print.
Garcia, John. The Ethical State: An Essay on Political Ethics. New York: Watchmaker Publishing, 2003. Print.
Grcic, Joseph. Ethics and Political Theory. New York: University Press of America, 2000. Print.
Harris, Robert. Political corruption: In and Beyond the Nation State. New York: Psychology Press, 2003. Print.
Lansford, Tom. Politics and Ethics in Review. New York: Nova Publishers, 2005. Print.
Roberts, Peri and Sutch Peter. An introduction to political thought: A Conceptual Toolkit. London: oxford University Press, 2012. Print.
Teachout, Zephyr. Corruption in America: From Benjamin Franklin’s Snuff Box to Citizens United. New York: Harvard University Press, 2014. Print.
Corruption is arguably the root of all evil in the world today, and for that reason, it has become a constant burden to governments and law enforcement agencies allover the world. The normal day-to-day work of law enforcers is normally fraught with many challenges with corruption forming a better part of these issues. This is whereby police officers indulge in unethical activities that do not align with police authority for personal interests. The corruption of law enforcement officers is an issue that spans cultural organizations, nations and generations because it is perpetrated by inevitable human weaknesses and motivations. Quite a big number of studies have shown police officers to be among the top agents of corruption in the society today. This research essay plan explores a number of topics about some of the common reasons why corruption is a necessary and unavoidable aspect of police work.
Poor Governance of Police Authority
Accountability of police officers in their work is mainly determined by the form of governance administered upon them by the law enforcement agencies under which they serve (Westmarland 2005). Police governance simply refers to the nature by which the law enforcement is implemented and exercised in ensuring that police officers fulfill their duties in a proper manner. In this regard, lack of strong and proper policies on misconduct and unethical behavior in the line of duty has helped to perpetrate the corruption of law enforcement officers in various sectors of their work.
Opportunities for Corruption
There is no doubt that, as crime boosters, law enforcement officers tend to come across many illegal incidents in their day-to-day work. Some of these incidents may include theft cases, bad or illegal commercial activities, and the trade or use of banned drugs. In most cases, police officers are bribed with huge amounts of money to protect those engaging in such illegal activities, thus enabling the activities to continue taking place (Tyler 2006).
Community and Political Context
For many years, corruption has continued to pose negative impacts to all systems of the economy, thus calling for serious attention from both authorities and citizens. This concern has seen cultures, nations, and generations establish within themselves measures that would aid in eliminating corruption from their circles. This, however, has not been very successful considering the mixed tastes of different parties and organizations on the issue of corruption. While there are those who disregard the practice and are willing to unite against it by all means, there is another category of people who will tend to perpetrate the activity simply because they benefit from it (Punch 2000). In this regard, the extent to which corruption is tolerated by both the community and the political authorities will largely influence the accountability of police officers in corruption.
The Factor of Old Habits
Corruption is believed to have been part and parcel of law enforcers since time immemorial. As a result of this mentality, people have always viewed police officers as people who can easily be persuaded using money. This way, people have engaged in all sorts of illegal activities without fear using their money and power as security (Sen 2010). On the same note, corruption has always been linked with law enforcement agencies, and in that case, modern-day police officers are just trying to follow the old habits of their predecessors as far as this issue is concerned.
Managerial Secrecy
In most cases, managers and supervisors tend to share the values and habits of their subjects. This would have the meaning that, senior police officers will sometimes cover and protect those they manage as far as they get their share of the money received from the illegal deals (Skolnick 2002). In some cases, the chain of corruption in the police force begins from the top positions downwards, thus making corruption a detrimental force to every aspect of the economy.
Low Managerial Visibility
Policing work is mostly carried out away from the managers’ or supervisors’ view. This exposes police officers to an atmosphere conducive to all forms of corruption, thus making them easy preys of bribery (Prenzler 2009).
Association With Lawbreakers
Normally, law enforcers inevitably interact with all sorts of bad people who are willing to part with any amount of money to get protection for their illegal activities (Miller 2003). Based on this observation, there have been reports of law enforcers falling in the hands of powerful gangs who are willing to subvert ethical police operations for their own selfish motives.
Discretion and Poor Pay
Discretion and the minimal benefits given to police officers in some countries have greatly contributed to the officers’ involvement in corrupt dealings and activities. In some cases, police officers tend to find themselves in a dilemma on whether or not to reveal information about criminal activities, especially if this poses threat to their lives or if it involves some powerful personnel (Gillard & Flynn 2012). In such scenarios, police officers would opt for the bribes offered to them by those involved rather than risk it all. More importantly, police officers tend to engage in corrupt activities to subsidise their salary which they think is not up to the standards of their risky job.
Reference List
Gillard, M & Flynn, L 2012, Untouchables: Dirty cops, bent justice and racism in Scotland Yard, Bloombury, London.
Miller, J 2003, Police corruption in England and Wales: An assessment of current evidence, Home Office, London.
Prenzler, T 2009, Police Corruption: Preventing Misconduct and Maintaining Integrity, CRC Press, New York.
Punch, M 2000, ‘Police corruption and its prevention’, European Journal on Criminal Policy and Research, vol. 8, no. 7, pp. 301-324.
Sen, S 2010, Enforcing Police Accountability Through Citizen Oversight, Sage Publishers, London.
Skolnick, J 2002, ‘Corruption and the blue code of silence’, Police Practice and Research, vol. 3, no. 1, pp. 7-19.
Tyler, T 2006, Why People Obey the Law, Princeton University Press, Princeton.
Westmarland, L 2005, ‘Police ethics and integrity: breaking the blue code of silence’, Policing and Society, vol. 15, no. 2, pp. 145-165.
Undeniably, it is the duty of police officers to do good for society, yet their means are not always held up to these ideals. Noble-cause corruption is a situation where a police officer decides to break the law in order to achieve what they perceive as the greater good (Caldero et al., 2018). The opinions on the topic are divided, as some may perceive such an act as beneficial to society, while others consider it as disrespectful towards the law. Arguably, police officers are trained to hold moral values to the highest degree, making their decisions in line with generally acceptable choices (Caldero et al., 2018). However, noble-cause corruption is a sure way to defile modern democratic values. Such an incident implies that an individual decided to take justice into their own hands without adhering to publicly accepted processes (Caldero et al., 2018). Nonetheless, this topic cannot be ignored, as noble-cause corruption is impossible to prevent entirely.
Many police departments recognize and prepare their officers for making tough decisions that may result in unsatisfactory outcomes. Merely relying on strict chain-of-command controls and punitive actions against officers who broke the law in order to achieve the greater good is not an efficient strategy (Caldero et al., 2018). Trainees are taught how to deal with noble-cause corruption, why it is detrimental to police forces, and how to resolve situations in which this tactic may seem to be applicable (Caldero et al., 2018). Promoting moral decision-making and linking actions with the core values of law enforcement appears to be the most efficient strategy to oppose wrongdoing by the officers who may consider utilizing illegal means. In conclusion, it is difficult to restrict noble-cause corruption, and the only way to affect its outcomes is to promote the right values among police officers.
Reference
Caldero, M. A., Dailey, J. D., & Withrow, B. L. (2018). Police ethics: The corruption of noble cause (4th ed.). Routledge.
Poor education and increased social problems are not entirely caused by corruption in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The country’s government has formulated policies that improve the country’s quality of education. For example, the government developed a 10-year education sector plan in 2015, which resulted in the distribution of millions of textbooks across the country (Global Partnership for Education). Moreover, the Congolese education ministry engages with teachers, parents and other partners in the educational sector to prepare for global partnerships. Furthermore, the government has taken a regional step by joining the East African Community to boost various economic sectors, including education (East African Community). If the government was corrupt, much of the resources would not have reached the schools. Moreover, the policies formulated would benefit private schools, which are dominated by rich Congolese students. Therefore, corruption in the educational sector is not the absolute cause of poor education and increased social problems in the DRC.
Refutation
While it is true that the Congolese government has taken steps that refute its corrupt character, corruption in the educational sector is conducted at the individual level. DRC government has taken overt steps to overcome civil wars and other social problems that encumber the country’s social and economic development. It is true that the government has developed a 10-year educational plan that has led to the distribution of millions of books and global partnerships. However, public schools only benefit from the books and not the scholarships to global universities. Moreover, the resources allocated to public schools are not sufficient since corrupt individuals use them for their benefit. For instance, primary and secondary schools in DRC are subject to payroll fraud (Brandt et al.). Therefore, the government is doing enough to ensure quality education in DRC, but corruption limits its efforts.
While there are many forms of corruption, only a few of them are brought out clearly in the assigned video. This video is about corruption in Bell, a town in Gilchrist County Florida (CBS, 2010). The main form of corruption, as evidenced in the video, is embezzlement. For the purpose of clarity, embezzlement “occurs when a person takes money or property that has been entrusted to his or her care” (Jancsics, 2019, p. 537). In the video, Robert Rizzo, the former manager, and eight other city officials were charged of misappropriating more than $ 500 million dollars.
The second form of corruption evidenced in the video is graft. This is a form of political corruption which is described as “unscrupulous use of a politician’s authority for personal gain” (Jancsics, 2019, p. 537). Political graft can occur when money meant for public projects is diverted for personal interests. In the video, this form of corruption was perpetrated through high taxes, but instead of the money being utilized for finance investments in human capital, it was used for personal gains (CBS, 2010). For instance, 4 out of 5 council members pocket up to $ 100 thousand per year for part time work while in other cities the average is only about $ 5k per year (CBS, 2010). Similarly, city manager’s annual salary is about $ 787, 637 – higher than what President Obama was earning at the time.
The Town’s Situation
The overriding point from the reading’s module revolves around the fact that corruption erodes the trust people have in the public sector. In the end, the residents are forced to contend with poor quality of services and economy. From the video, Bell has a population of about thirty-six thousand residents with a medium household income slated at $ 38,502 per year (CBS, 2010). The residents are forced to pay high taxes but most of the money ends up in the pockets a few people through secret loans.
The Cause of Corruption
The main cause of the corruption in Bell, as evidenced in the video, is poor governance which leads to lack of financial accountability. This made it easier for city officials to engage in dubious means such as illegal salary raises, secret loans and high taxes (CBS, 2010). On the issue of illegal salary raises, it is clear from the video, that public officials earn huge salaries and other benefits. For instance, Robert Rizzo, the former manager, was earning a total of $ 3.2 million per year after all the benefits were included in the figure (CBS, 2010). Other city officials were earning $ 100 thousand per year for part time work compared to an average of $ 5k per year in other cities.
Prevention of Corruption
The two forms of corruption could have been prevented if the city had chosen to separate accounting responsibilities as well as conducting regular financial audit. For instance, regular external audits which focus on the financial statements could have helped deter city officials from engaging and perpetrating corruption. Similarly, external audit is the best way of preventing graft because it ensures the city has followed relevant laws and regulations. Additionally, separating accounting responsibility ensures different people are responsible for writing, signing and reconciling outgoing checks. It is important to note the risk for embezzlement increases when only one individual handles all financial records. For instance, the city could ensure that those involved with cash transactions are not the same handling bank reconciliations.
Corruption has existed in many civilizations throughout history. However, the phenomenon has been increasing in recent years at a very concerning rate. The practice is now severe and widespread, causing global economic issues. Governments and ethical institutions need to explore the matter and find mitigation measures before it gets off hand. Corruption in businesses occurs in many forms, such as illegal businesses, taking bribes, monopolizing markets and forceful coercion in business transactions. Most African countries are democratic, yet, this democracy is a tool of oppression towards citizens socially and economically. This essay explores some democratically suppressed factors contributing to the emergence and spread of corruption in Africa’s developing countries.
Neo-Patrimonialism
A significant contributor to corruption in Africa is neo-patrimonialism. The term refers to historical power connections that govern leadership and the spread of resources in a particular country or organization. The regime was formed as a unifying factor for the development of African countries. However, they became a source of individualism, monopoly and power controls affecting the economies and business clientele. Neo-patrimonialism affects policymaking, state budgets, distributions of funds, foreign aid and developmental projects (Masenya, 2017). The colonial powers have legal codes that influence the countries politics, leadership, business contracts and economy. According to Masenya (2017), British colonies have a higher rate of corruption than other countries, which hinders the countries from transforming into independent economies in import and export trade. British bureaucrats believe that former colonies with better civil service owe them for providing the conditions for a better society thus have a right to some power governing the countries.
Apart from the former colonial power’s influence, powerful ethnic societies also practice individualism and nepotism in businesses. Historical communities have deep roots in politics and leadership, which governs the countries’ economies. A case study in Kenya investigating the primary cause of corruption indicated that powerful historical families practice nepotism and monopoly in all major industries and state corporations (Masenya, 2017). Thus, small business ventures that lack power cannot compete in the same businesses leading to a monopolistic economy.
Institutional Suppression
Legal institutions lack proper governing rules for anti-corruption offences. Laws responsible for promoting ethics should have severe prosecution punishments on corruption offenders to curb the practice. However, sub-Saharan legal systems are controlled by political and influential powers that control their freedom to practice justice and ethical rules (Masenya, 2017). Lack of professional ethics in legal and political areas hinder transparency, which contributes to widespread corruption cases. Media institutions also lack the freedom to expose corruption cases in government operations and nepotism due to suppressing their right to information and revealing illegal activities. Media institutions and the press are the whistleblowers against corruption. However, sub-Saharan countries do not have definite or clear guidelines that govern and protect the press. Therefore, the government suppresses its democracy and freedom to expose illegal activities and corruption, leading to the spread of unethical practices.
Economic Instability
Governments with poor economies require higher rents to transact imports and exports to other countries. The most affected economies have monopolistic businesses that control domestic markets and import and export through bribes. Due to poor economies, small and medium businesses offer lower rents in taxation and customs (Masenya, 2017). As a result, government and customs officials prefer bribes from powerful and monopolistic firms because they provide better profits than legal businesses.
Conclusion
Corruption is the leading cause of underdevelopment and challenging economic conditions in Africa’s developing countries. Significant factors that influence unethical business transactions are neo-patrimonialism, deep-rooted powerful families, corrupt legal institutions and lack of media freedom to expose corrupt cases. Colonial powers still influence the political and economic development of countries that were under their authority. Historical families take advantage of their capacity to form monopolies and nepotism in business transactions. Finally, legal and media institutions lack the freedom to practice justice and expose corruption.
Alexander Pushkin in his writing, “The Queen of Spades”, takes the reader through the world of faro gambling at the time of the Imperialist Russia in the beginning of the early 19th century.
The author’s intention in going inside this world of faro gambling is to reveal his principle subject matter, the destructive consequences of greediness and corruption, which is both dominant in Russia’s society currently and on people’s souls.
According to the writing, the corruption of love by money and class is preyed by two individual characters: the blameless and fixated, “angel and fallen angel, Lizaveta and Herman, Susan Chilcott and Placido Domingo” (Pushkin 1890).
The author introduces an inscrutable character, Hermann, a protagonist, and tries to makes him so likable, with an intention of carrying away the reader emotionally looking at the consequence of corruption, and makes the reader more leaning to empathize with him (Herman) when his greed or corrupt behaviors lead to his down-fall.
Hermann endeavours to enrich his own self at the expense of others. We see that Herman cannot overcome his greed that eventually corrupts his heart and soul.
To begin with, he deceives Lizaveta and he even has no regrets for his actions. As the author narrates when he (Hermann) meets Lizaveta in her house: “Hermann gazed at her in silence: his heart, too, was a prey to violent emotion, but neither the tears of the poor girl, nor the wonderful charm of her beauty, enhanced by her grief, could produce any impression upon his hardened soul” (Pushkin 1890).
However, although he has feelings for Lizaveta (as he says “I am ready to take your sin upon my soul”), he is overcome by greed for money, which corrupts his heart and betrayed her trust for money. This can be seen where he was waiting for the Countess to go to sleep, but hears Lizaveta walking up the staircase, Pushkin (1890) says, “Something like remorse stirred in his heart, but died down again.”
Even besides frightening the old woman to death with his behavior, he has no remorse for her death and he is still persistent to master the secret of the card even if it meant carrying the lifetime yoke of a horrific indulgence but winning the fortune. When he lastly masters the secret of the game and wins 47,000 rubles, he tends to believe that all belongs to him and he is obsessed by the card. Hermann greedily deceives other gamblers large sums.
We can see how corrupt Hermann’s behavior becomes when he tells the Countess, “Perhaps the price of it was some terrible sin, the loss of eternal bliss, a compact with the devil” (Pushkin 1890).
Pushkin also brings out other thematic concerns in the writing such as the negative nature of corruption and the influence of sexuality, drawing attention to the Oedipal affiliation between the Countess and the protagonist. Herman flees from the Countess’s house with the assistance of Lizaveta, who is later aghast of learning that Herman’s profession of love was disguised with greed.
However, in the end Hermann doubles his winnings on the gambling table but eventually lost it all he had, including his mind, after he mistaken a queen for an ace.
This led to his confinement in a mental hospital, and his obsession got worse. The only thing that pricked his conscience was the irremediable failure of the secret to win him fortunes; all the time he repeated, “Three, seven, ace. Three, seven, queen” (Pushkin 1890).
Reference
Pushkin, A. (1890). The queen of spades. (Translated by Duddington, N.). New York: Progress Publishers.