There is intense discussion and a range of viewpoints expressed on the complex tango that exists between corruption and progress. The recent disclosure regarding corruption and mismanagement in a non-governmental organization that prepares underprivileged students for competitive exams in India, offers a practical framework for discussing this intricate relationship. The NGO supposedly has high success rates, despite accusations of corruption and poor management, as shown by its performance reports available on LinkedIn. This situation calls for research on the relationship between corruption and progress and whether the two can coexist peacefully.
The standard definition of corruption is the misuse of authority for personal benefit. This can take many different forms, such as embezzlement, nepotism, and bribery. Corruption damages confidence erodes legal systems, and overall erodes the fabric of society.
On the other hand, a nation or a community’s institutional, social, and economic growth is referred to as development. It includes advancements in living conditions, governance, health, and education that enhance the general well-being of society.
Development free from corruption should ideally result in a more equal society where opportunities are available to everyone, not just a wealthy elite, and resources are distributed effectively. Such settings usually have high levels of accountability and transparency, which guarantees the equitable and efficient distribution of development benefits. For example, nations with high corruption perception indices, such as New Zealand and Denmark, also have excellent living standards and steady, equitable development.
On the other hand, progress can take place in dishonest settings, but it frequently has uneven effects, benefiting only a select few wealthy individuals. The long-term sustainability of this kind of development is impossible since it fosters social instability and inequality. One example of an instance where educational achievements are improving for some despite allegations of corruption is the NGO described. On the other hand, a decline in donor funding and a weakened sense of trust in these institutions could be among the long-term effects of such corruption.
Eliminating corruption is a difficult task, particularly in systems that are ingrained in society. Corruption may be found everywhere, from lower levels of society to higher echelons of authority. To counteract corruption, legal frameworks must be strengthened, openness must be improved, public accountability must be encouraged, and an integrity-driven culture must be nurtured. Effective instances comprise Singapore and Rwanda, where resolute political determination and stringent anti-corruption protocols have markedly reduced corrupt practices.
This presents a moral and ethical conundrum. Even if corrupt institutions may show some short-term benefits, allowing corruption to persist for the sake of development jeopardizes sustainability and equity in the long run. To achieve sustainable and equitable growth, it is imperative to work toward clean governance. Additionally, accepting corruption might result in a downward slope where morality becomes hazier.
Development and corruption have a nuanced and intricate relationship. Even while corrupt environments can nevertheless see development, this kind of advancement is sometimes uneven, favoring a small group of people at the expense of sustainability and wider public trust. Fighting corruption head-on is the best way to guarantee sustainable, just, and healthful development. Institutions should function openly and morally to create a just society, regardless of how successful they seem to be in their results. Despite its success, the NGO’s story highlights the necessity of clean operations to support its admirable educational goals.
In conclusion, a society’s capacity to preserve fairness and integrity in all of its institutions and undertakings is a critical factor in determining its long-term health, even while there may be a tremendous temptation to ignore corruption for short-term benefits, particularly in less developed areas.
The writer is a member of Faculty of Mathematics, Department of General Education SUC, Sharjah, UAE
Email: reyaz56@gmail.com
