Corruption: Weakening Democracy

Corruption backed by power devastates the integrity, progress, and economic development of a nation. It is a term recognised as illicit and can be described as the behavior of dishonesty and immorality among an official or organisation. As it has become another source of earning over work, many are indulging in it. On the other side, wealthy people in terms of political or monetary power are providing support to corrupt individuals, who are generally in government offices or private systems. Corruption can involve abuse of power, bribery, or embezzlement. However, over time, these individuals are being identified, and many are on the radar of anti-corruption agencies. Since 2012, when the movement against corruption declared ‘zero tolerance against corruption,’ we still wonder why we are not getting rid of it as we had hoped.

India, being a diversified democracy with a well-established system, has different ministries, departments, and offices that oversee progress, security, economic stability, and polity. At the same time, the construction of power projects, roads, highways, and other developmental works increases the risk of corruption due to the large amounts of money involved in the developmental process. According to the Perception Corruption Index (PCI), India ranked 93rd among 180 countries in 2023.

How does it weaken a democracy?

Corruption weakens democracy and also dissolves its power. It is a crime. It has become part of the Indian system to misuse power for personal benefits, whether in the political or administrative sectors. These corrupt practices lead to scams, frauds, and other consequences for the country, such as many high-profile businessmen and their groups being accused of scams and bribery. Similarly, at a regional level, when an official (government or private) uses power to suppress someone for personal benefits, it leads to corruption and impacts the other person. The impact on the person who gives the bribe is that they feel everything revolves around money, ignoring accountability and responsibility. Meanwhile, when these officials are backed by powerful politicians, they become more stable in corruption as both share the benefits. All these petty acts, such as political support to corrupt officials, create a significant corruption nexus, which continues to trouble us in the twenty-first century. Through corruption, individuals lose trust, as employees should work for public welfare rather than for self-serving motives.

For example, in 2008, India experienced nationwide protests due to the 2G spectrum scam, which weakened democracy. While protests may not directly harm democracy, the loss of hope in institutions can be harmful. In the past, various such incidents have caused serious damage.

The Nexus of Corruption and Power

Corruption and power are interconnected. In India, business and political leaders have deepened this nexus, involving both private and public institutions. From various past incidents, it is evident that bribery and power abuse weaken the strength of a democratic nation. Individuals who give bribes or suffer from power abuse often lose trust in institutions, leading to further consequences. Power abuse is often practiced by politicians to create a strong and effective public image for themselves.

On the other side, many agencies and organisations, such as the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB), are working towards making offices and societies corruption-free. However, public awareness is essential, as many individuals are not familiar with the proper systems. They often believe that paying money to an official is simply a 'service charge' to get their work done.

(Ayaan Saroori is a student)