Politics of Corruption

Most governments claim to be fighting public sector corruption within their jurisdiction. Being a curious type, I have decided to have a closer look at how well the various attempts succeed, and what stands in their way.

From India:
“To date, none of the major cases of “corruption in high places” has been solved. This, of course, may signal either the inadequacy of official investigative agencies or the success of the allegedly corrupt in covering up their traces. But the scams have also served to cover up other issues of greater import.” J Sri Raman journalist and peace activist based in Chennai, India

India does have a range of agencies whose primary or partial charter is to fight corruption. These have been recently augmented by growing media attack on corrupt politicians.
With all that activity there is still enormous frustration at the inability to deal with the core issues of corruption, because of political distraction. This situation is not reserved for India, or simply for developing economies. Political meddling and point scoring continue to retard corruption fighting around the world.

Canada is currently in election mode following the highly efficient Gomery inquiry into government corruption. However, inquiries are limited to fact finding and recommending prosecutions. The opposition parties in Canada, rather than allow the process to proceed without distraction, used it as an opportunistic excuse to point score.
In the ensuing ‘corruption inspired’ power grab, the opposition parties have done littler more than increase voter cynicism toward the whole political establishment. It is yet to be seen just how far the election will derail the prosecution process, but it has already taken much of the bite out of the key issues by changing the focus.

There is a powerful argument that all aspects of investigation and prosecution of political corruption should be taken completely out of the political sphere.
As an extension of sub judice laws, politicians and lawmakers should be prohibited from all comment and action on any issue of political corruption under investigation or prosecution by bona fide anti corruption agency.
Ideally each jurisdiction should have a specific agency, with wide powers to fight corruption. Failing that, special inquiries and prosecutors should carry the same level of autonomous powers as purpose agencies; and all should exclude political interference of any kind.

With an increasing level of media focus on political corruption, the time has never been better to push for standing ‘watchdog’ organisations to monitor unethical behaviour. Ad hoc investigations are generally established by governments, far better an agency with a charter to constantly monitor and attack corruption.