Causes of Corruption in the United States

Causes of Corruption in the United States

No matter how developed or underdeveloped a country is, it can never steer clear of corruption. Corruption has become a persistent problem in the society in al civilizations. Corruption is the abuse of power for personal benefits by an individual entrusted with a particular office by society. The phenomenon has been explored in different perspectives throughout the past years. The United States was ranked position twenty-two least corrupt countries in the world in 2018 by Transparency International.  Nevertheless, recorded cases of corruption in the United States have affected the country both economically and socially even though corruption pattern varies from state to state; it is easier to identify some of the drivers that generate corruption.  Wherefore, causes and factors that motivate corruption in the United States include; taxation processes, provision of goods and services at a lower price, regulations, and authorization, standard quality of the bureaucracy, institutional control, and penalty systems.

Some citizens may find taxation laws challenging to understand and interpret hence resolving in seeking assistance from tax administrators, a situation that has always led to corruption in the United States. Typically, laws are difficult to understand and comply with, resulting in frequent contact between the taxpayer and the administrator’s (Quah, 2017). Due to the situation, taxpayers have often have been lured and a portion of their money siphoned off by the administrators without their knowledge. Tax administrative procedures lack transparency to their customers and are not so closely monitored by the customs of the administration. The United States can eliminate this kind of corruption by contracting various offices that are legally authorized to provide authorization and permit services as it would be the best approach to clear the patent power from the bureaucrats.

The delivery of goods and services that is cheaper than the market price is a significant cause of corruption in the country. In the United States, the government often engages in the provision for goods, services, and even services that are below the average market price. Examples of the services and resources are water, public housing,  food,  education, electricity, disability fund, and even foreign exchange (Quah,2017). In the United States, disability fund has been used as a channel of corruption by the authorities. In cases where rationing and quivering for the services become unavoidable, excess demand is created, and with no other choice left, decisions are made to apportion the limited supply. It is at this point that the public employees, who desperately want the goods and services, will be willing to pay bribery to get access to the government’s provision. It is, therefore, the selfishness and greediness of public employees, and their authorities have always caused corruption in the delivery of services and goods provided by the government to the poor or disabled citizens.

In United States, the role of regulation and authorization is often conducted by through the application of rules and regulations. Consequently, citizens are needed to be in possession of permits, authorization cards, and licenses so that they can be able to bet access to services and activities across the country (Quah, 2017). Owning a business, purchasing a car, conducting foreign businesses, and getting access to loans and many more activities cannot be possible for citizens who do not have specific required documents. Several public servants and government authorities must be contacted to offer authorizations for the activities as required by the government of the United States. The reality of the regulations creates more proximity between bureaucrats and the citizens. Citizens get more time to engage with government officials while acquiring permits and licenses often, resulting in bribery cases where citizens with limited qualifications get their way out by paying off the authorities. The government should make the services more technological that can be undertaken through online services to avoid cases of bribery.

The quality of civil services and bureaucracy in the public sector of the United States is a motivational factor for corruption. An observation has been made that wages paid to the civil servants are likely to be a determinant factor of corruption in the bureaucracy of the respective country (Mahmood, 2005). Low wages in the United States civil services resulted in greed and desperation that has the left the servants with no choice but to engage in corruption to boost their salaries. The procedure of employment in the civil service sector is also a determinant factor of corruption. If proper rules and regulations are not put in place for the recruitment activities, cases of nepotism and favoritism may be recorded. The result is always hiring unqualified individuals who do not have the knowledge to handle their assignments properly hence promoting corruption cases in the civil service departments. The government should, therefore, take action to increase the salaries of the civil servants to do way with feelings of greed and dissatisfaction. The government should also monitor closely how operations are being undertaken in the civil service departments.

Another factor that motivates individuals to be corrupt is the control of institutions. In the United States, institutions have been subdivided into departs, with every department having departmental officials and leaders. Consequently, every departmental within an institution has generated roles and duties for their managerial responsibilities (Mahmood, 2005). However, some institutional leaders chose to misuse their power and authority to manipulate citizens who are desperately in need of the services offered by their companies. They have failed to carry out their roles with honesty effectively, and they lack ethical behaviors in their administration patterns. Institutions should, therefore, install security cameras in their offices to capture any form of misconduct by their employees; Supervisors should also monitor their subordinates closely. Citizens who fall victim to corrupt leaders should always report to security authorities as this will help in bringing to an end case of corruption in institutions of the United States.

The penalty system of the United States plays a significant role in motivating individuals to take part in corruption. The penalty imposed on the perpetrator of a crime determines the probability of corruption taking place. The penalty structure existing in the United States has been a contributing factor in the motivation of involved individuals to be corrupt (Mahmood, 2005). Higher penalties may minimize the cases of corruption but may also lead to a collection of higher bribes on the criminal acts that may still occur. In reality, only a few people get punished for the crime they commit while lucky others, meander their way out punishment rooms by offering bribes to the authorities in charge. Corruption in the legislative sector is very vital has it can lead to the eradication of justice in the country. Consequently, the government should outline proper administrative procedures to be used in penalty cases. If possible, the government of the United States should do away with penalties because both low and high penalties are motivators of corruption.

The scarcity of straightforwardness in legal codes, rules, and processes also creates a breeding ground for corruption. Typically, laws are often confusing, and only lawyers are in the best position to understand precisely the details they entail (Manhood, 2005). The documents that are made to clarify the laws to the citizens are not accessible to every citizen, and in some instances, the laws are changed but without proper documentation of the same. Strategies and procedures on policy matters are equivalently not transparent, and at times the citizens may fail to understand the process followed to reach the final decision. Without a doubt, the process creates a breeding ground for corruption between the lawyers and the citizens since, in many instances, the citizens are left at the mercy of lawyers who may end up taking advantage of the situation to collect bribes or request for unnecessary payments from their clients. The government should, therefore, strive to publish a documentary that is easily accessible which interprets laws and processes in more straightforward terms that can be understood by citizens

Leadership pattern is also another factor that can motivate people to conduct corrupt activities. Top national leaders should always strive to give an excellent leadership example to the citizens (e.V, 2020). When senior government official engages in corruption or deliberately ignore such acts in cases of their friends, relatives, and associates, it is highly expected that other citizens will walk in the same shoe. Government officials should, therefore, set good examples of dealing with corruption problems. Other top officials from other institutions for political leaders should act appropriately, avoid getting involved with corruption because it will be ironic when they want to fight corruption while they are also corrupt. The president of the United States should react with immediate effect fire government officials who have been accused of corruption.

In conclusion, it is comprehensively notable that corruption does not happen by itself, but rather it is the society that makes it happen. Taxation, authorizations, provisions of cheaper goods and services, civil services, institution leaderships, penalty, lack of transparency in law and leadership patterns are the major causes and motivators of corruption in the United States. Corruption is usually attached to government operations and so if we do away with government, then we will do away with corruption. But then, a state cannot function without a government, and with the advanced modern society, it is normal that the state must have many operations. It is, therefore, not only the responsibility of the government but also the country at large to come together and fight corruption before it overwhelms the nation.

References

e.V., Transparency. “Corruption In The USA: The Difference A Year Makes”. Www.Transparency.Org,2020,https://www.transparency.org/news/feature/corruption_in_the_usa_the_difference_a_year_makes.

Mahmood, M. (2005). Corruption in Civil Administration: Causes and Cures. Humanomics, 21(3), 62-84. doi: 10.1108/eb01890

Quah, J. (2017). Corruption and government: Causes, consequences, and reform, 2nd edition. Susan Rose-Ackerman and Bonnie J. Palifka. Cambridge University Press, New York, 2016. 618 pp. $39.99 (paper). Governance, 30(2), 321-325. doi: 10.1111/gove.12273