Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Essay 3
Essay 3
account can only happen if we understand the way corruption works and the
systems that enable it. Critically discuss some of the systems that enable
measures to curb the effect of corruption. Use relevant examples in both the
gains” [ CITATION Wie99 \l 1033 ] resulting in public interest being compromised. There are
HAMŞİOĞLU identified several causes for corruption. The first discussed was personal due
to many factors within their personal lives including feelings a need to remedy injustice,
cultural background and values are some of the personal factors which may encourage
persons to participate in corrupt behaviours. This can come from self-seeking behaviours, an
obsession with rank, favouritism and even an absence of erosion in moral values. [CITATION
Cet191 \l 1033 ] Structurally, poor bureaucratic processes and the politicization of it, excessive
paperwork, low salaries comparative to private sector, the presence of discretionary power all
factor into leading public officers to engage in corrupt practices. Examples of any of these
can be seen in police and licensing services in Trinidad and Tobago. Politically, one can see
causes for corruption in the way political parties are formally and informally, in how
politicians personalise their positions of power and some even go as far as using the country’s
New South Wales’ Independent Commission against Corruption listed on its website
nine (9) main causes for corruption [ CITATION NSW19 \l 1033 ]. Where policies and procedures
are absent, unclear, or not adequately enforced there is a lack of control mechanisms to
protect against or minimise the occurrence of corruption. The lack of a clear mission and
purpose to be followed by public officers’ results the public servant become less committed
to public interest and more likely to be unprofessional. Where employees are not training
properly, similar to the previous point, is inadequate, there is a raise in persons doing what
can allows persons to exploit he system and thus exploit the trust of the public. Where
communication and reporting lines are unclear & employee supervision and performance
management are inadequate this creates another level of vulnerabilities as poor performance
remain unchecked and those observing develop the belief that this is normal and acceptable.
before there is a great possibility of them allowing this to become a game piece. Especially
when the employees develop close relationships with external stakeholders or already have
existing familial or social relations with stakeholder there is a risk of the employee attempting
In the absence of accepted ethical standards such as regulation, codes of conduct, etc.
where there is little or no guide as to what is expected of them, the human nature and
personal immorality or biases can come forward and finally where the corporate culture
condones rule breaking and short cuts (paying to expedite a service) corruption is high.
School of Law and Diplomacy at Tufts University singled out several main challenges faced
Contrary to popular belief it is not always a moral problem resulting from greed and
depravity. Corruption is also a complex system which continues to exist as it serves social,
political and economic functions especially for parties, in order to survive weak institutions
and insecurity. Low salaries and poverty are causes of corruption which can be fixed simply
by raising salaries.
Another challenges lies in a one size fit all kind of planning. While international models are
based on best practice and principals to enforce anti-corruption policies, little attention is paid
to those local agencies with a better understanding of the environment and culture. Thus,