We are all familiar with the word "corruption”. This term is being used in different aspects of our lives, especially during elections. But do we know what corruption is? In everyday situations, be it politics or business, corruption is when people abuse their position of power and abandon moral standards and laws for their own personal gain.
Corruption is defined as the abuse of entrusted power for private gain. No country is immune to corruption. It refers to a form of criminal activity or dishonesty and this act compromises the rights and privileges of others. It can include giving or accepting bribes and gifts for favors. Embezzlements are also pretty common in big conglomerates. Most of the time, it is the people in a position of authority who are liable for corruption by offering bribes and following illegal means to achieve benefits.
Corruption has a negative long-lasting impact on society. People who are involved in corruption are unaware of the danger it poses to themselves and the other people in their community. They fail to consider the scenario they place their family, friends, and their loved ones in their never-ending quest for more money. People who engage in all kinds of corrupt activities find it difficult to withdraw from the lifestyle they have been enjoying. Corruption corrodes the government's ability to help grow the economy in a way that benefits all citizens.
Here are some ways to reduce corruption:
* The people must have the power to create a pathway for themselves to engage and participate in their government and identify priorities and problems, and find solutions.
* Working with the government as well as the non-government groups to change behavior and monitor progress.
* Using the power of technology to build a dynamic and continuous exchange of information between the government, citizens, businesses, civil society, media, and academia.
* Higher paid salaries for the employees so that the need to involve themselves in any kind of corrupt activities can be lessened.
* Inequality in society should be reduced as it will curb corruption and the strictest laws should be made.
* People must be educated. Illiteracy is one of the main reasons why the general public are unaware of how the system works to not fall prey to bribe demands.
Those who always end up paying the price are the ones who respect the prevailing law but corruption is difficult to fight since it is firmly entrenched in society. Making inroads against corruption often requires determinant efforts to overcome vested interests. Corruption is a global problem that requires global solutions. Each type of corruption is important to make note of and tackling all of them is critical to achieving progress and sustainable change.
Corruption is a serious problem that harms society in many ways. And we can only fight corruption by taking action at both the government and individual levels. This includes giving citizens more say in government, promoting honesty and transparency and educating the public. The government and organizations also need to identify the root cause of the problems and implement strict norms to stop citizens who indulge in or are involved in corruption.
Fighting corruption may not be easy, that is why it is important for all of us to work together to make progress. By doing so, Our nation can only grow and flourish when corruption is eradicated.
The Degree of Thought Column is a weekly community column initiated by Tetso College in partnership with The Morung Express. The column explored contemporary social, cultural, political, and educational issues and challenges around us. However, the views expressed here do not reflect the opinion of the institution. Tetso College is a NAAC-accredited, UCG-recognized Commerce and Arts college. Currently, the Degree of Thought Column is managed by the department of Mass Communication, and the editorial team are Dr Jenny Lalmuanpuii, KC Gabriela and Rinsit Sareo. For feedback or comments, please email:dot@tetsocollege.org.
