2.

Introduction:
2.1 What is Corruption? Corruption is not identifiable as a single, separate, independent entity which can be isolated and destroyed. Corruption is a complex set of processes involving human behaviour and many other variables, some of which are difficult to recognise or measure. Even though corruption manifests itself as a force on its own and often generates its own momentum, it is linked to many other factors, and it is by understanding these factors that we can hope to understand corruption. Understanding corruption is therefore the first step in eradicating or, at least, containing corruption. In order to understand corruption, we have to first define it. There are several meanings of the word corruption but when we use the term, we usually refer to a specific kind of exchange, activity or behaviour. For instance, corruption could mean a process of physical decay or degeneration; the loss of innocence; a state of moral impurity or moral deterioration; perversion in taste or language; and also the wrongful, negligent or wilfully corrupt act of a public official in the discharge of his or her public duties. Therefore, when we discuss corruption in Bangladesh, we are referring to the exchange, activity, process or behaviour which occurs when the public domain comes into contact with the private domain. From this definition, it is obvious that corruption carries within it several assumptions - of a 'public' as opposed to a 'private' domain; an official code of behaviour as opposed to an unofficial code of behaviour; the existence of a public or state apparatus; and even the existence of a particular kind of social, economic and political organisation (within which the public and private can operate smoothly). These assumptions, embodied in the popular meaning of corruption, are significant because definitions aside, when it comes to dealing with corruption - at the political, economic and certainly, at the sociological level - it is often difficult to decide exactly what constitutes corruption.

2. 2 Definition of Corruption

It is very a very challenging task to define a complex phenomenon like corruption because it is viewed differently from different aspects. Although there is rapidly growing interests among policy makers, NGOs ,donor agencies, academicians etc. to identify the causes and consequences of corruption, still no consensus has been made to define corruption comprehensively in existing literatures. Its notion varies across country, culture, society and of course overtime. One activity may be viewed as corruption in developing countries while it may not be in developed countries. In general, the term corruption is always used to label a large set of illegal activities ranging from bribery to extortion, from embezzlement to nepotism. In this paper I am concerned with the corruption in public sector governance and its impact on economy of Bangladesh. That is why the scope to define corruption from different perspective is limited here. The World Banks definition of corruption is The abuse of public office for private gain. Corruption is every transaction between actors from the private and public sectors through collective utilities that are illegally transformed into private gains2. But there is no way to believe that corruption is only a problem within public administration. Corruption is also pervasive in private sector. Klitgaard (1998) has given a very simple definition of this multidimensional subject as: C=M+D-A-S where C=Corruption, M= Monopoly, D= Discretion, A= Accountability and S= Public sector salaries3. Put differently, the degree of corruption depends on the amount of monopoly power and unrestricted supremacy that official's exercise and the extent to which they are held responsible for their actions. The UN's Dictionary of Social Science explain as Corruption in public life is the use of public power for private profit, preferment of prestige or for the benefit of group or class, in a way that constitutes a breach of law of standards of high moral conduct(1978:43). According to Transparency International (TI-2009), corruption is the misuse of entrusted political power for personal gain. In the light of the above discussion, corruption can be defined in a broader perspective as the exploitation of public resources and avoidance of public laws that results in unfair personal gains, lessen economic growth rate and encourages greater inequality of income.

2.3 Corruption and Social Problems This review found that few studies examine or establish a direct relationship between corruption and Social Problems. Corruption, by itself, does not produce Social Problems. Rather, corruption has direct consequences on economic and governance factors, intermediaries that in turn produce Social Problems. Thus, the relationship examined by researchers is an indirect one. 2.4 Sociological Perspective of corruption It might be asked, what is a sociological point of view? Sociology is the study of the development, nature and laws of human society. Society, in turn, is a term which describes a mode of life, and includes a range of interests and activities, such as process, organisation, structure, human behaviour, human relationships, customs, and forms. The term 'sociological', therefore, can be fairly widely applied. To provide an understanding of corruption from a sociological perspective, it would be necessary to examine, explore and critically analyse corruption as a process of social formation, encompassing corruption in the real world of social structures, institutions and modes of exchange, and at the same time, to also locate and reconcile the reality within an analytical framework which would critically explore the discourse on corruption. This Study aims to approach the subject of corruption in Bangladesh from the sociological perspective by critically examining a selection of literature on the subject, and by seeking through this examination to explore the fundamental processes of the social formation of corruption in Bangladesh - both as a reality, as well as expressed in the literature selected on the subject. Sociological interpretations must take into account social, political and economic forces, both as societal conditions, as well as rhetorical and historical influences which inform the discourse on corruption. It is also important to move beyond dichotomous, normative conclusions and focus instead on corruption as an exchange, as well as behaviour, process and outcome. Consequently, the challenge in exploring corruption from this perspective lies essentially in being able to critically focus on the subject of corruption as it exists in Bangladesh, together with the conceptual demands of the dominant discourse on the subject. As will be discussed in some detail in this Study, many of the works under review are informed - either implicitly or explicitly - by an ethnocentric, modernising ideology, which is
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not necessarily applicable to the reality of conditions in developing societies like Bangladesh. The significance of these influences is enormous because they reflect the dominant discourse on corruption - especially as an issue of development -- in no uncertain terms. Corruption as behaviour, process or activity, is impossible to quantify. Consequently, for social scientists the functional argument which focuses on the 'positive' aspects of corruption necessarily provides only a means of understanding process. Thus, while it might be argued that corruption functions as a useful mechanism to aid social, political or economic exchange, the relevance to social science lies in the process as activity, without reference to its normative qualities. Consequently, while this Study adopts many 'functional' arguments, it does so in a non-judgmental way, the aim being to further the understanding of the process by which corruption takes place in a given situation.

3. Findings and Analysis:

The 2010 Corruption Perceptions Index shows that (CPI) Bangladesh is in 134th position in the world.

3.1 Education: Corruption: Preventing access to education The falling standards in the education sector are also revealed by the survey: 74% of the households used extra regular method for admission of their children into school. Among the
Corruption in Education: Ratio of Service Receipients Forced to Pay Bribe

54.1
Percentage

35.5

32.5

21.8

for admission in school

to be enlisted for stipend in primary level

to be enlisted for stipend in secondary level

for actual disbursement of the stipend

various extra regular methods used, payment of donation was most prominent and used by about 41% of the households, followed by the use of political influence (28%) and through
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private tutors (10%). Payment of money for admission of children into school was reported by 3.6% of the households. When the households were asked about the ethical standard one out of every five households believed that unethical practice existed in the admission procedure.

3.2 Health: Corruption: Preventing access to health service

C or r upt i on i n H e a l t h : R a t i o of S e r v i c e R e c e i pi e nt s For c e d t o P a y B r i be

54.8

Percentage

29.3

f or outdoor treatment

f or operation/xray/pathological test

The survey revealed that approximately two-fifths (39.4%) of the households reported payment higher than normal registration fees at the outpatient department. The households who had patients seeking impatient treatment also reported irregularities in admission procedure. Normal process of admission was reported by only 41% of the households. Among the extra regular methods for admission into hospital the frequently used methods were: consultation with the doctor at private chamber (20% of the households); payment of extra money to the hospital staff (18% of households); through hospital staff (9%); and through influential persons reported by 9% of the households. Measures of opinion showed that about 70% of the households either agreed or completely agreed that there existed unethical practices in the procedure for admission into the hospital and a higher proportion (81%) held similar view regarding supply of medicines or treatment at the hospital.

3.3 Municipal Service Sector: water, electricity, holding tax and business & trade license Another sector which has a profound effect on the quality of life is the supply of public

Corruption in Police: Ratio of Service Receipients Forced to Pay Bribe 77.7

Percentage

79.2 60.6

for FIR/GD or any other complain

for police clearance

to avoid arrest

amenities. The baseline survey revealed that only about 44% of urban dwellers in the country had\ municipal water supply. About 23% of the households reported difficulty getting water supply and of these about 17% of the households reported payment of extras money, 16%
12 10
Percentage

9.529 7.94

8 6 4 2.384 2 0 Low Income (< Tk. 72,000 per year) Middle Income (72000-140,000) High Income (140,000+) Total 4.569

reported repeated visits and 12% reported long wait and red tape in getting water line. In relation to electricity supply approximately 4 out of every 5 urban households in the country reported to have electricity connection. Just fewer than 30% of these households did not face any difficulty in getting electricity connection to their house. The remaining 70% of the households faced various difficulties: among the difficulties faced about 33% of the
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4. Recommendation
4.1 Increasing Political Accountability Political accountability refers to the constraints placed on the behavior of public officials by organizations and constituencies with the power to apply sanctions on them. As political accountability increases, the costs to public officials of taking decisions that benefit their private interests at the expense deferent/disincentive to corrupt practices. 4.2 Strengthening Civil Society Participation As stakeholders in good governance and institution mediating between the state and the public, the organizations that comprise "civil society"- citizen groups, nongovernmental organizations, trade unions, business associations, think tanks, academia, religious organizations and last media- can have an important role to play in constraining corruption. This is true at the country level as well as internationally. Civil Society Organizations (CSO), with Transparency International spearheading the fight against corruption is the most prominent example of what an international civil society organization can achieve in awareness- raising, pressuring government as well as international organizations for change and pressuring governments as well as international organizations for change and working with various sectors to implement innovative anti-corruption reforms.

4.3 Creating a Competitive Private Sector The degree to which powerful elite's influence decisions and policy-making of the state (state capture) constraints the implementation of a fair, competitive, honest and transparent private sector and thus hinders broad-based economic development. The ability of powerful economic interest to capture the state can be constrained by: Economic policy liberalization Enhancing greater competition Regulatory reform Good corporate governance Promoting business associations, trade unions, and concerned parties Transnational cooperation

4.4 Institutional Restraints on power The Institutional design of the state can be an important mechanism in checking corruption. Of particular importance is the effective development of institutional restraints within the state, which is most effectively achieved through some degree of separation of powers and establishment of crosscutting oversight responsibilities among state institutions. Effective constraints by state institutions on each other can diminish opportunities for the abuse of power and penalize abuses if they occur. For ensuring institutional restraints on power the following steps should be taken: Independent and Effective Judiciary Anti-corruption Legislation Independent Prosecution and Enforcement Audit Organizations Legislative Oversight

4.5 Improving Public Sector Management A fifth building block of an anti- corruption strategy consists of reforms in the internal management of public resources and administration to reduce opportunities and incentives for corruption. Reforming public sector management and public finance requires. A meritoric civil service with magnetized, adequate pay Enhancing transparency and accountability in budget management Enhancing transparency and accountability in tax and customs Policy reforms in sectional service delivery Decentralization with accountability In most cases greater public oversight can play a key role in the reform process. The practice of political patronage in public administration continues to be an important source of corruption in many development countries. Political patronage can be a source of accountability to the patron, but it can undermine continuity and the development of standards, institutional values, and memory in the public sector. This opens the way to conflict of interest, misprocurement, and theft of public funds. The short-term and uncertain nature of many political appointments also decreases the time horizons of public sector workers, creating incentives for predatory behavior.

4.6 Anti-Corruption Legislation

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While a well-functioning, competent and clean judiciary is key in upholding the rule of law on a day-to-day basis, anti-corruption laws turn out to be an effective means prosecute of an anti-corruption strategy. Anti-corruption laws work to deter corrupt actions, prosecute and resurrect a sense of justice, which has become a rare commodity in endemically corrupt countries. Legislation supporting the transition towards a corruption free society includes a freedom of information law, whereby citizens can demand the disclosure of information regarding government activities; a whistle-blower protection law in order to encourage the reporting of corruption cases; conflict of interest law, procurement laws and party financing laws. Anti-money laundering regulations also contribute towards curbing fraudulent practices.

4.7 Transparency Transparency via public scrutiny has proven to be one of the most powerful forms of monitoring public officials. Such transparency can be fostered by a number of measures, including: opening sessions of the parliament, government, and the courts to the public; registering lobbying activities; and publishing the voting records of parliamentarians, annual reports of government bodies, trial records, and the decisions of judges. A free and vibrant media is another important factor in making transparency work for the general public.

4.8 The Role of the Media A free and open media help expose levels of corruption by uncovering and shedding light on abuses. In transition economies on Eastern on Eastern and central Europe, greater openness felt by the media since the rail of communism has brought with it a plethora of stories of fraud, corruption, and criminal activity, making the media perhaps the most persistent institution in the fight against corruption. The Internet provides unprecedented opportunities of disseminating knowledge and increasing transparency across national borders in a timely fashion at low cost.

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5. Conclusion To fight corruption requires highest level political commitment for courageous action

without fear or favor. Where the political commitment is weak, and institutions are not functioning independently and effectively create demand: inform, communicate and campaign for a social movement. Addressing corruption in Bangladesh will require a comprehensive strategy because of the issues raised in this paper the core reason being the collusive nature of political and administrative elites and their relationships, which in turn has maintained its debilitating hold on state institutions and process. Given the extent of the problem and its impact on economic and political life in Bangladesh, it is unrealistic to expect a reform agenda which will reduce the level of corruption in a few years. What the paper proposes is a two-step reform agenda: (i) reform of the state institutions with focus on the accountability of the executive (to prevent political corruption) and (ii) reform of the civil service recruitment process and a review of its norms and regulations to ensure greater accountability, transparency, efficiency and effectiveness.

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Bibliography: 1. www.wikipedia.com/tib

2. www.transparency.org/report_2010_bd 3. www.accbd.gov.bd

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