Chen 1

Yuxin Chen

Ms. Curtin

G/T Independent Research I

6 June 2017

Watchdog! A Solution to Corruption

In a divorce case in 2010, a husband developed a personal connection with the judge,

resulting in unfair rulings: child custody was ruled to the father and Margaret, the wife, was

forced to pay child support while her husband made $528,000 a year (Green). This injustice is

the reality for many people around the world. Corruption in forms of bribery or personal

relationships permeates societies and has a detrimental effect in all aspects of life. As a result, an

effective anti-corruption method is necessary to alleviate this epidemic globally. In order to

reduce the corruption within a country while improving its citizens quality of life, the

government needs to implement free media to increase transparency and accountability of

officials; media is crucial in keeping the citizens informed and knowledgeable as well as creating

an outlet to express their opinions and values.

Corruption has detrimental effects on the lives of individuals and their country. For

instance, when corruption prevails within a country, it impacts the economic activity of the

country as well as the wellbeing of its citizens. Within the business world, corruption creates

unequal opportunities and competitions resulting in small entrepreneurs inability to compete as

they are outshined and overpowered by large and wealthy companies (Mirzayev). The inability

to compete lowers investment levels and results in the formation of monopolies or oligopolies to

occur ("Corruption"). This monopoly and oligopoly market is damaging to the country as these

companies have total control over the pricing of products and even governmental regulations,
 Chen 2

enabling them to sell their product at an excessive price that allow them to yield large profit with

little spending (Thoma; Stigler). With high prices, there is less demand for products, causing the

production and consumption of products to be low and preventing economic growth (Thoma). In

addition to control over pricing, monopoly and oligopoly companies have a symbiotic

relationship with the government in which they rely on each other to succeed; these companies

often bribe the government to receive special privileges and protection (Machado). This toxic

relationship creates a cycle of corruption. Furthermore, this kind of market prevents foreign

investors from investing as there is no fair competition and a lack transparency. Without foreign

investments, it is hard for a country to economically grow (Mirzayev). Corruption encourages

the creation of monopoly and oligopoly market and has a detrimental effect on the countrys

economy as well as the neutrality of the government.

Corruption affects a country economically through not only its effect on the market, but

also promotion of the concentration of wealth and resulting economic inequality. The monopoly

and oligopoly system of market alongside corrupted officials result in a small percentage of the

population holding most of the wealth within the country. Consequently, a corrupted countrys

average income is a third lower than that of a minimally corruption country (Mirzayev). The

rich continue to get wealthier at the expense of the of the poor. These circumstances can cause a

huge division between the upper and lower classes, creating immense variety in the standard of

life. The economic effects of corruption threaten the wellbeing of the citizens as well as the

economic status of a country.

In countries in which corruption is prevalent, progress is often delayed, preventing

underdeveloped countries from fully developing. The most prominent way in which progress is

slowed in a country which corruption is through its corrupted officials. When officials become
 Chen 3

dishonestly influenced, they act for their own benefit rather than for the good of the people and

the country. For instance, bribery can result in public officials being loyal to a certain group,

causing them to becoming biased and fail to do their job (Pei). Officials also development

through embezzlement. Corrupted, officials embezzle public money intended to be used to fund

programs and relieve poverty, preventing developing countries ability to advance ("Corruption

Is Public"). To make matters worse, organizing programs and institutions against corruption

requires a large amount of money, and if funds are misused, the country cannot combat the initial

corruption (Hors). As a result, corruption continues to spread and cannot be regulated.

Additionally, progress is slow when a countrys government officials are unwilling to draft new

policies, fearing the risks of wealth and privileges (Hors). Officials fear that new policies that

combats corruption might hinder their ability to become corrupt and the benefits that come with

it. Corrupted political leaders greatly delay developments when they are only concerned about

their own prosperity and power and rather than the country or its people.

On top of its effects on a countrys economy and progress, corruption also changes

culture and the society drastically. Corruption enlarges the amount of distrust within a society.

For example, within the judicial system of a country, poor people are at a disadvantaged when

wealthier people bribe to get a favorable result (Gloppen). As a result, when court becomes

corrupt; there is decreased reliance on the judicial system because people believe that the court

cannot stay impartial and that bribery is always necessary. This results in people wanting to

resolve their issues outside of the legal system, and thus, decreases the courts authority

(Marschall). This decreased authority can be extremely troublesome as the judicial system of a

country is crucial in the enforcement of laws and the prosecution of wrong doings. With little

authority, the court cannot punish corrupt acts or enforce anti-corruption laws. Consequently,
 Chen 4

corruption becomes more widespread and common. In addition, in places where corruption is

prevalent, there is a belief that corruption is an integral part of culture, making it difficult for

people to fight the problem (Hors). These two effects of corruption cause a country to remain

entrapped within the corruption cycle, even when anti-corruption methods are employed.

Corruption is an epidemic that is plaguing societies everywhere. In countries within

Central and North Asia and Africa have the most severe corruption (Corruption Perception). In

central and northern regions of Asia, most countries are ranked well below 40/100 on the

Corruption Index, meaning high levels of corruption and low transparency (Corruption

Perception). Africa possesses the most of the countries who scored at the bottom of the

Corruption Index (Ellyatt). The severity of the situation in Africa is shown through the daily

payment of bribes by of the population (Lavers). Possessing most of the bottom placers on the

corruption index, Central and North Asia and Africa have the most severe corruption problem.

As a result, its citizens suffer the effects of corruption more intensely than the rest of the world.

On the other side of the spectrum, Western and Northern Europe and North America

contain the least corruption (Corruption Perception). All West European states placed above

60 on the Index, indicating low levels of corruption and high transparency and integrity

(Corruption Perception). Moreover, four of the top five-ranking spots on the Corruption Index

are within Northern Europe (Chew). Across the Pacific Ocean, North America, specifically

Canada and the United States, also have moderately low levels of corruption; Canada ranked 9th

and the United States ranked 18th on the corruption index (Corruption Perception). In addition,

contrasting with the of the population paying bribes in Africa, the European Union and North

America have less than four percent of its population engaging in bribery (Lavers). This drastic
 Chen 5

difference between the two regions that are just a few thousand miles away highlights the gravity

of the corruption dilemma in the Africa and parts of Asia.

However, it also demonstrates how even in regions with high levels of transparency and

integrity, corruption and bribery are still present. Corruption is becoming an increasingly severe

epidemic; no country is completely free from corruption. Even though it was reported that only

68% of the countries in the world have a significant corruption problem, the remainder still

contain corruptions (Ellyatt). Maybe the extent of the corruption in these countries are not as

severe as those within the 68% statistic, corruption still exists. Additionally, members of the

European Union, who all placed high on the corruption list still experiences a large amount of

corruption; 75% of their citizens think corruption is a serious problem (Corruption).

Furthermore, even the number one ranker on the Corruption Perception Index, Denmark, does

not receive the perfect score of 100; instead, it received a 90, demonstrating how corruption

persists even in countries with plentiful transparency (Corruption Perception). Not only is

there are no country with a score perfect score, many countries corruption score have declined

rather than an increase (Corruption Perception). For instance, Australia, ranked number 13 on

the corruption index and fallen in ranking for the past four years (Clark and Oakes). This trend of

decreasing scores indicates that corruption has worsened around the world. In a world in which

corruption is becoming incrementally more troublesome, effective anti-corruption methods are

becoming more important.

The countries with high scores on the corruption index, Denmark, Finland and Sweden,

all have one thing in common: high accountability, transparency, excellent integrity system and

open government (Ellyatt). In order to achieve such qualities, the government should establish

free media. Research has shown that a country that permits freedom of press is less corrupt than
 Chen 6

a country that limits and controls the press (Frdigh). This is because the media acts as a

watchdog advocating for transparency and accountabilities by keeping the people informed

about abuse of power and misconducts within the society (Frdigh). With free media, the

government cannot manipulate or censor the information citizens receive, preventing

wrongdoings from being hidden from the public. Additionally, increased transparency also

pressure politicians to be less corrupt, as they fear of impeachment and loss of power and wealth

(Hors). As a result, corruption declines as the public is knowledgeable about what is going on

within the government and can request the prosecution of misconduct.

Not only does the media address corruption by increasing the transparency and

accountability within the government, it also promotes the drafting of new policies that reflect

the peoples values. Furthermore, as mentioned before, corrupted officials are unwilling to draft

new policies because they fear losing their power (Hors). However, free media improves the

public awareness towards corruption; officials are then pressure to listen to the public and draft

new policies that address corruption (Nogara). Likewise, the media presents different views on

issues and encourages competition and debates between elected officials, creating incentives for

reformative policies and enhancing the popularity of civil liberties (Nogara). Moreover, the

media provide platforms for citizens to express their values and options to governmental

officials. Media do this by conducting public opinion polls that reflect the views of the public on

issues and policies (Brooker and Schaefer). With the ability to convey their wishes through

media, the public is accurately represented in policies made by officials. Free media within a

country can greatly dictate the amount of corruption present and the willingness of officials to

draft policies addressing the problems of the state. The implementation of free media can be an

effective anticorruption method and encourage progression if it is executed properly.

 Chen 7

If actions are not taken soon, countries who are suffering from corruption will continue

to deteriorate. These countries will be trapped in the corruption cycle and unable to progress

and the life of its people will more difficult. Free media is an easy solution that countries can

adopt without draining resources. Not only will free media reduce corruption by increasing

transparency and accountability, it will also allow citizens to have a voice in the government,

which is crucial in the wellbeing of people. Free media and communication between citizens

and officials is essential in the formation of an incorrupt society.

 Chen 8

Works Cited

Brooker, Russell G., and Todd Schaefer. "The Media." Public Opinion in the 21st Century: Let

the People Speak? (New Directions in Political Behavior), Cengage Learning, 2005,

www.uky.edu/AS/PoliSci/Peffley/pdf/473Measuring%20Public%20Opinion.pdf.

Accessed 4 June 2017.

Chew, Jonathan. "These Are the Most Corrupt Countries in the World." FORTUNE

International, Time, 27 Jan. 2016, fortune.com/2016/01/27/transparency-corruption-

index/. Accessed 18 May 2017.

Clark, Sam, and Dan Oakes. "Australia Fails to Improve Ranking in Global Corruption Index

amid Mounting Push for Federal Watchdog." ABC News, ABC, 25 Jan. 2017,

www.abc.net.au/news/2017-01-25/australia-fails-to-improve-ranking-in-global-

corruption-index/8212226. Accessed 22 May 2017.

"Corruption." European Commission: Migration and Home Affairs, European Union, 2 Feb.

2016, ec.europa.eu/dgs/home-affairs/what-we-do/policies/organized-crime-and- human-

trafficking/corruption/index_en.htm. Accessed 24 Oct. 2016.

"Corruption Is Public Enemy Number One in Developing Countries, Says World Bank Group

President Kim." World Bank Group, 19 Dec. 2013, www.worldbank.org/en/news/press-

release/2013/12/19/corruption-developing-countries world-bank-group-president-kim.

Accessed 30 Nov. 2016.

"Corruption Perceptions Index 2015." Transparency International, 2015, www.transparency.org/

cpi 2015/ #downloads. Accessed 28 Oct. 2016.

 Chen 9

Ellyatt, Holly. "These Are Most Corrupt Countries in the World." CNBC, 26 Jan. 2016,

www.cnbc.com/2016/01/27/these-are-most-corrupt-countries-in-the-world.html.

Accessed 14 Nov. 2016.

Frdigh, Mathias A. "Press Freedom and Corruption: One of the Mass Media Functions in

Promoting Quality of Government." Quality of Government Institute working

conference, 23 Oct. 2007, Nice, mafardigh.files.wordpress.com/2010/10/press_freedom_

and_corruption.pdf. Accessed 22 Nov. 2016.

Gloppen, Siri. "Courts, Corruption and Judicial Independence." Corruption, Grabbing and

Development Real World Challenges, edited by Tina Sreide and Aled Williams, Edward

Elgard Publishing, 2014, pp. 68-79. Google Books,

books.google.com/books?hl=en&lr=&id=cS1jAgAAQBAJ&oi=fnd&pg=PA68&dq=relat

ed:dfZVjtExXoKuyM:scholar.google.com. Accessed 25 Sept. 2016.

Green, Peter S., and John Mazor. "Corrupt Justice: What Happens When Judges' Bias Taints a

Case?" The Guardian, Guardian News and Media, 18 Oct. 2015, www.theguardian.com/

us-news/2015/oct/18/judge-bias-corrupts-court-cases. Accessed 25 Sept. 2016.

Hors, Irne. "Fighting Corruption in the Developing Countries." OECD Observer, OECD, Apr.

2000, oecdobserver.org/news/archivestory.php/aid/291/Fighting_corruption_

in_the_developing_countries.html. Accessed 9 Dec. 2016.

Lavers, Tom. "The Global Corruption Barometer 2006." Global Corruption Report 2007:

Corruption in Judicial Systems, Cambridge UP, 2007, pp. 314-17. Issuu, Cambridge UP,

issuu.com/transparencyinternational/docs/global_corruption_report_2007_english?backgr

oundColor=. Accessed 13 Oct. 2016.

 Chen 10

Machado, Arthur Pinheiro. "Corruption and Monopolies -- an Endemic Problem." Forbes

International, Forbes, 20 July 2015, www.forbes.com/sites/ arthurmachado/2015/07/20/

corruption-and-monopolies/#50773ef14b99. Accessed 21 May 2017.

Marschall, Miklos. "World: NGO Report Targets Judicial Corruption." Interview by Jeffrey

Donovan. Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, RFE/RL, 24 May 2007,

www.rferl.org/a/1076681.html. Accessed 12 Oct. 2016.

Mirzayev, Elvin. "How Corruption Affects Emerging Economies?" Investopedia, 22 Jan. 2015,

www.investopedia.com/articles/investing/012215/how-corruption-affects-emerging-

economies.asp. Accessed 12 May 2017.

Nogara, Monica. "Role of Media in Curbing Corruption: The Case of Uganda under President

Yoweri K. Museveni during the no-party System." DESA Working Paper, vol. 72, Jan.

2009, pp. 2-6, www.un.org/esa/desa/papers/2009/wp72_2009.pdf. Accessed 18 Dec.

2016.

Pei, Minxin. "Government by Corruption." Forbes, 22 Jan. 2009, www.forbes.com/2009/01/22/

corruption-government-dictatorship-biz-corruption09-cx_mp_0122pei.html. Accessed 16

Nov. 2016.

Stigler, George J. "Monopoly." Library of Economics and Liberty, Liberty Fund, www.econlib.

org/library/Enc/Monopoly.html. Accessed 22 May 2017.

Thoma, Mark. "What's so Bad about Monopoly Power?" CBS Money Watch, CBS Interactive, 18

Sept. 2014, www.cbsnews.com/news/whats-so-bad-about-monopoly-power/. Accessed

22 May 2017.