Corruption as a Global issue

       Corruption as a Global issue

       Azarenkova Anastasia Vladimirovna

       Scientific supervisor: Olentsova Y.A.

       Krasnoyarsk State Agrarian University 

     Corruption is both a major cause and a result of poverty around the world. It occurs at all levels of society, from local and national governments, civil society, judiciary functions, large and small businesses, military and other services and so on.

     Corruption affects the poorest the most, in rich or poor nations, though all elements of society are affected in some way as corruption undermines political development, democracy, economic development, the environment, people’s health and more.

     Around the world, the perception of corruption in public places is very high. But it isn’t just in governments that corruption is found; it can permeate through society.

     If political interdependence is particularly marked today, economic interdependence is even more so. Indeed, the globalization of the economy is adding new urgency to the corruption problem.

     Tackling Corruption

     What can be done to tackle this problem?

     Strengthen Democracy’s Transparency Pillar

     One of the pillars of democracy is transparency; knowing what goes on in society and being able to make informed decisions should improve participation and also check unaccountability.

     Campaigners from around the world, but particularly the South, have called for a more just, independent, accountable and transparent process for managing relations between sovereign debtors and their public and private creditors.

     An independent process would have five goals:

     • to restore some justice to a system in which international creditors play the role of plaintiff, judge and jury, in their own court of international finance.

     • to introduce discipline into sovereign lending and borrowing arrangements—and thereby prevent future crises.

     • to counter corruption in borrowing and lending, by introducing accountability through a free press and greater transparency to civil society in both the creditor and debtor nations.

     • to strengthen local democratic institutions, by empowering them to challenge and influence elites.

     • to encourage greater understanding and economic literacy among citizens, and thereby empower them to question, challenge and hold their elites to account. 

     Address Weaknesses In The Global System

     • Greater transparency of World Bank processes, allowing greater visibility for elected officials and civil society in recipient countries;

     • Strengthening internal mechanisms within the Bank itself, to monitor integrity of Bank functions, and allow truly independent audits of Bank operations;

     • Minimum standards in governance, transparency and human rights that must be fulfilled before approving oil, gas and mining projects in institutionally weak countries.

     • Not always tying loans with economic policy conditions in such a way that some governments surrender their policy-making space. 

     Improve Government Budget Transparency

     A trusted government is more likely to result in a positive political and economic environment, which is crucial for developing countries, as well as already industrialized ones. 

     Direct Grassroots Action

     As the effects of the 2008 global financial crisis are felt more and more, as food prices around the world increase, and other inter-related conditions get worse for many around the world, some of the resulting public unrest and disquiet is being channeled into anti-corruption concerns.

     As an extremely severe global economic and financial crisis takes hold, corruption is likely to increase. Many governments are considering New Deal or Keynesian style macroeconomic policies to help stimulate their economies. It is perhaps a critical — or at least opportune —  moment to renew efforts to tackle corruption. Some politicians may have honest intentions, while others (many others, it may seem), may not. In either case, the rewards for stamping out corruption would be significant.

     Corruption in Russia

     Corruption in Russia is a significant problem that impacts the lives of Russia’s citizens. Russia is on the 154th place out of 178 in the Corruption Perceptions Index published by Transparency International. According to some expert estimates, the market for corruption in the country exceeded US$240 billion in 2006.

     According to a poll conducted in early 2010, 15% of Russians reported to have paid a bribe in the past 12 months. The overall amount of bribes in the Russian economy skyrocketed from $33 billion to more than $400 billion per year in Putin's government, according Georgyi Satarov.

     President Dmitry Medvedev has made fighting corruption one of the top agendas of his presidency, and has launched ananti-corruption campaign. 

     Anti-corruption efforts

     The Russian government recognises corruption as one of the most serious problems facing the country, and has taken steps to counter it. Fighting corruption has been a top agenda of President Dmitry Medvedev. An Anti-Corruption Council was established by Medvedev in 2008 to oversee the Russia's anti-corruption campaign. The central document guiding the effort is the National Anti-Corruption Strategy, introduced by Medvedev in 2010.

     Russia has ratified the United Nations Convention against Corruption. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

     Literature

1. Pitman, Glenn A., and James P. Sanford/ The Foreign Corrupt Practices Act Revisited: Attempting to Regulate Ethical Bribes in Global Business/ New York, 1994.
2. Robert Neild/ The Dark Side of Social Evolution/ London: Anthem Press, 2002.
3. http://www.globalissues.org
4. http://en.wikipedia.org