Views on Corruption

Kishore C.S.

July 1999

Corruption is one of the social evils of society. What is at the root of this evil? Can it be eradicated? The following are my views on this topic.

There is nothing called corrupt society, corrupt department. Individuals are corrupt. However we tend to take individual cases and tend to brand the ‘group’ as corrupt. This spoils the image and the non-corrupt people find it very difficult to have an image. I would not like to brand any department or group as corrupt. People who refuse bribes rarely gain popularity.

What makes an ‘individual’ corrupt? The attitude towards bribery is triggered by the desire to acquire ‘more’ with ‘less’ effort. Everyone one wants to be ‘rich’, acquire as much wealth as possible. The actual goal of individuals is to be more ‘happy’ and there is a misconception that more money means more happiness. Wisdom: money can only give comfort but not happiness. You may have all comforts but you may not be happy.

Is it true that More Money does not mean More Happiness?

In my opinion - Yes. There are many fables and even real time experiences that keep echoing this simple ‘truth’. But few really believe it.

Bacause of such misconception individuals keep pursuing the desire to acquire more. This results in bribes and corruption.

Can the money earned the wrong way be really enjoyed?

When one does something ‘wrong’ there is a fear that comes along with it. One not only acquires the wealth but also some ‘uncomfort feeling’ which will keep bothering forever. Due to this one will never be able to enjoy things acquired the wrong way.

One will hear of examples where people go back to the restaurants and pay ‘unpaid’ bills sincerely because they feel if they don’t pay they will not be able to digest the food they have eaten. If one really cheats this way every time they go to the restaurant that ‘guilty’ feeling will continue to haunt.

If such logic is applied to various ‘wrong’ means of acquiring things is it really possible to enjoy ‘money’ acquired through wrong methods.

Individuals should realize two basic truths

1. Wealth (Money) is not linked to happiness
2. Wealth acquired by wrong means cannot be ‘truly’ enjoyed.

This understanding may transform the individual to give up a ‘corrupt’ life. It is the realization of the individual that ‘smoking’ is injurious that can lead to giving up the habit. The realization is important.

Another important factor that can play significant role in eradication of social evils is ‘role-model’. People want recognition. People emulate good examples. If being ‘not corrupt’ is rewarded well, and there are more and more people who lead a non-corrupt life this can ‘motivate’ others. ‘Motivation by example’ transforms many than mere preaching.

The only way one can change the world is by changing ‘self’. Be the ideal person you want each person in the world to be. Evils will gradually vanish if everyone realizes their role and performs their duty as a social person. No amount of Government Control Methods can be successful unless individuals change. Every one should pledge to be a non-corrupt person for their life time and then only expect others to emulate them.

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