Has the fight against corruption in developing countries now reached dead end?

By N.S.Venkataraman

(December 21, Chennai, Sri Lanka Guardian) It appears that the fight against corruption has now reached a dead end in several developing countries It is more than evident from the fact that the citizens of such countries do not any more react to multi million dollar scandals and scams where the public money is being looted by section of the country men. Several ministers, bureaucrats and business men accused of corruption walk with their heads high and do not feel any sense of shame. The large section of citizens in these countries do not treat such people with contempt but run behind them, as long as they hold positions of power and authority.

It is sad that even the media in these countries do not any more distinguish the dishonest and corrupt persons from others, which indicate the fact that people have become immune to the “corruption shocks”. People seem to have reconciled to a situation where corruption is the order of the day.

Companies, business men and even individuals are reported to earmark certain funds for paying corrupt money to get business and other deals done in their overall budget.

With the Government and the politicians and bureaucrats running the government being part of the corrupt political system, one cannot anymore expect that the governments in these countries will stand by the country to put down corruption. The judiciary was one hope but it is no more so.

There have been repeated talks about media having gone into the hands of business houses and functioning with commercial objectives , publish only those news which provide sensation or of entertainment value that would boost circulation and consequent advertisement income. Media taking money for publishing paid news has become the talk of the day. Media seem to be losing their reformist objectives.

It is difficult to conclude as to whether the fight against corruption has been lost due to the above conditions or the above conditions exist due to the failure of the fight against corruption. In any case, the net result is there for all to see.

Certainly, those at the helm of the administration in these countries including Ministers have let down their countries and allowed the fight against corruption to be defeated either by their indifference to the corrupt practices around or themselves being corrupt , for the sake of clinging on to the positions of power at any cost.

The citizens should also take up the responsibility for such sordid state of affairs in these countries, who have subjected themselves to be part of the corrupt system even unwillingly on many occasions, due to their lack of will to sacrifice their interests and lack of mindset to show the will to resist the corruption at individual levels.

Due to the widespread and unchecked corruption at every level, the administration in the several of the developing countries have virtually collapsed. The corrupt elements have become very bold and are increasingly taking the law into their own hands. The law abiding citizens feel insecured.

Now, what is the way out and where does the country go from here?

In spite of such alarming situation, there is no doubt that the millions of citizens feel sad about such state of affairs and earnestly desire that the conditions should improve. But, how will it improve when the concerned citizens simply remain as arm chair critics and confine themselves to exchange views in closed door meetings. Most of them with good intentions at heart and great love for the country feel insecured to come out and protest in public, as it may mean crossing sword with the administration and resulting consequences. Quite a number of them write letters to the media both anonymous and otherwise but rarely get their thoughts published.

The silent majority have to protest but they dare not do so, the present conditions being what it is.

The only alternative is for concerned citizens to go for massive and passive resistance. What is passive resistance ? Passive resistance means, that one would refuse to involve himself in corrupt practices for the sake of getting things done. The citizens should deny themselves even rightful benefits if such benefits would come from only by greasing the palm. Corruption is knocking at the door steps of everyone everyday. Refuse to open the door when the corrupt elements knock. In the process , if one would suffer , let it be so.

Such passive resistance to corruption on national scale will certainly bring about great and significant changes before long and make the corrupt forces realize that there are people who go for such anti corruption movement at their own levels. Like salt satyagraha launched by Mahatma Gandhi that shook the British administration in the independence movement of India , inspite of the fact that it was only a symbolic act , this passive resistance will certainly drive home the point.

When facing such situations of corruption knocking at your door, if one would happen to have a dilemma, then he should think of the great national leaders of the past in their own countries , the men who fought for values under extremely tough and adverse conditions. That would give them inspiration to stand up to the corrupt forces and stand by the cause of truth and probity in public life.

-Sri Lanka Guardian