Teaching Comparative Government and Politics

Friday, September 05, 2014

Corruption and politics

When it comes to corruption, we must consider its effects in Russia, China, Mexico, Nigeria, and Iran. Why not the UK?

Corruption 'impoverishes and kills millions'

An estimated $1tn (£600bn) a year is being taken out of poor countries and millions of lives are lost because of corruption, according to campaigners.

A report by the US-based anti-poverty organisation One says much of the progress made over the past two decades in tackling extreme poverty has been put at risk by corruption and crime…

The report says that if corruption was eradicated in sub-Saharan Africa:

Education would be provided to an additional 10 million children per year

Money would be available to pay for an additional 500,000 primary school teachers

Antiretroviral drugs for more than 11 million people with HIV/Aids would be provided…

It is recommending action against tax evaders "so that developing countries have the information they need to collect the taxes they are due" and more open government so that people can hold authorities accountable for the delivery of essential services.

Corruption getting worse, says poll

One person in four has paid a bribe to a public body in the last year, according to a survey carried out in 95 countries by Transparency International…

Is Nigeria serious about tackling corruption?

Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan wants the world to believe he and his government are serious about ending corruption. But two recent events have sent out the opposite message.

As President Jonathan handed out awards to celebrate Nigeria's centenary, there was a collective leap of eyebrows when people learnt that former President Sani Abacha was on the list. Many wondered why a military dictator who had plundered the nation was being celebrated?

As if people needed reminding, during that same week the United States announced that it was freezing $458m (£275m) that had been stashed away in foreign bank accounts - part of at least $3bn that Abacha is believed to have looted during the 1990s…

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