Our societies are like human organisms: they get sick and they heal. When mismanaged by selfish and greedy officials, practicing all manner of corrupt actions, our society becomes sick, weak and may eventually collapse. Corruption is a cancer for our society. It undermines the growth and development of any society. So, do you want to know how dangerous and harmful corruption is for society? The following are some of its damaging effects on any society:
in economics
Corruption represents a very serious threat to the economy of a society. No matter how economically powerful a society is, corruption undermines the economic growth of that society. Officials of a corrupt society mismanage the economy, plunder public coffers, and allow embezzlement and inflation to take control. Contracts, which are intended for public services, are diverted to serve the private pockets of officials. What does this mean for the masses and the nation’s economic growth? It means that the poor masses have nothing to enjoy and the economy remains stagnant. In Africa; For example, economists believe that one of the reasons why corruption is widespread in the region is that corruption has mainly taken the form of rent extraction. Researchers at the University of Massachusetts estimated that between 1970 and 1996, capital flight from 30 sub-Saharan countries totaled $187 billion, exceeding those nations’ foreign debt. In Nigeria, for example, Nigerian leaders stole more than $400 billion from the treasury between 1960 and 1999. This means that for African countries like Nigeria, the poor are in a very critical condition. This is because, apart from rising commodity prices as a result of inflation created by officials through the offering of “economic rent”–bribery and misappropriation–the poor can hardly enjoy any their country, and the consequences, as we know we have been seeing, is the continued rage of anger and violence on the part of the marginalized poor to bridge, by any means necessary, the yawning gap between themselves and the rich that has left them almost nothing.
About politics
Corruption undermines democracy and good governance. In elections, for example, where voters vote for the candidate they believe will improve their quality of life, corruption damages this opportunity by sabotaging electoral processes with bribery and fraud. Everywhere we look at it, whether in politics or government, corruption reduces accountability, distorts representation in policymaking, and compromises the rule of law in the judiciary. In Third World countries, where corruption is most rampant, the rule of law is violated as a result of gross abuse of power, making checks and balances nearly impossible. This is very serious with regard to the public administration of the nation and the survival of the citizens.
About social development
Corruption slows down economic growth and discourages investment. How can a society develop in a land contaminated by corruption? Any society that is willing to develop, commits to prudent practices and transparent administration must avoid corruption. But corrupt societies have difficulties avoiding looting of public coffers and, therefore, their development is almost impossible.
Corruption is a lethal threat to any society. It kills the economic development of a nation, weakens the political culture and destabilizes the growth and development of a society. In Third World countries, where corruption is widespread, the poor suffered the most. Unless accountability and punishment are ensured, the authorities will remain corrupt and society will remain weak and sick.