I was thinking of the ultimate causes of corruption- both administrative corruption (”speed-money” for everyday tasks that should be done) and discretionary corruption (for out of turn favors, be it a contract, a promotion, a jump in the queue, whatever). To my mind there are 5 causative factors for corruption (I am trying to be brief here) -
Discretion (remedy- get everything to be rule-based and avoid exceptions)
Transparency (remedy- get everyone to be well-informed and all transactions/ dealings in the open; invest in education)
Shortages (remedy- eliminate queues- of all kinds; increase access, free markets)
Concentration of power (remedy- institutionalized mechanisms to prevent someone getting into a position of absolute power)
Economic deprivation/ inequality (remedy- all-round growth opportunities as opposed to redistributive policies)
In the Indian context, addressing 1-4 would eliminate opportunities for corruption greatly. None of this is easy, but still worth striving for. Addressing point 5, would eliminate the motivation.
Lastly, an economically stronger society with a large base of middle-class voters as well as a population that is well-educated will allow voters to focus on longer-term benefits than short-term measures leading to the erosion of the culture of corruption.
At one seminar I attended some weeks ago, there was this interesting observation that at the current rate of growth, in 15-20 years, we could see some basic changes in our polity that will result in a transformation of the politician as we know; for the better. We will need to be a bit patient!
To my mind, I do not believe that any society or nation including India has any genetic pre-disposition to poor morals. I am sure that is nobody’s point. What we can do is to a. Recognize the causative factors and vote for/ canvas for policies that catalyze the remedies in every sphere of public life be. Be good parents ourselves!
“Yetho Raja Thatho Praja” if I have it down right is relevant in this context isn’t it? The politicians come from the same society that you and I are in.
The optimist in me says that at some point over the next 10-15 years, things will change (assuming that the socio-economic growth continues - and the benefits are distributed relatively evenly)…what gives me real hope though is the transformation in traditional media because of technology…
As someone has commented above, once this happens, the cost of reaching out to voters (which is where most of campaign financing goes - and which is the BIGGEST barrier for any reasonably honest person to even consider standing for elections) will hopefully drop to a point where it no longer is an impediment…
Second, it is only when enough of the populace have their stomachs full and a comfortable shelter for their families that true political reform can come about…until then most of us would be too busy worrying (or working) for their next meal…Again, that probably means a wait of 10 years or so for fundamental reform to emerge…
