CORRUPTION; can it be prevented? How?

_{Designed using Pixellab App Handshake clipart}

INTRODUCTION

Have you been in a queue and someone cuts the queue? Or applied for a job or test where you were best suited or qualified yet it was given to the friend of a friend? I believe you have had a situation such as that, as it is not new in our society today. In most cases, the winners call it grace or connection rather than its original name Corruption.

What is corruption?

_source

This is a situation in which dishonesty is embraced by a person, group of persons, or an organization in a position of authority for one’s private gain. It is simply the usage of power or status for private gains over public gains. It is found both in the public and private sectors of society.

Corruption is the reflection of greed and selfish behaviour and it is the grand patron of all ills.

Mention and explain 5 forms of corruption you know.

Corruption takes on the skin in multiple forms, depending on the situation one finds him/herself which includes;

• Bribery
• Embezzlement
• Extortion
• Nepotism
• Influence Peddling

• BRIBERY

This right here is the most common method of corruption, it's popularly called give and get as it involves the improper use of favours and gifts such as money, gifts, sexual favours, Job, and political advantages in exchange for personal gain such as giving preferential treatment and overlooking crime.

• EMBEZZLEMENT

This is financial fraud as it is the act of withholding assets for the sole aim of theft by those individuals entrusted with these assets meant for the public or others.

• EXTORTION

This is a grievous act as it's quite similar to Blackmail. Extortion is the act of obtaining any property, money, or services illegally by compelling people or organizations.

• NEPOTISM

Probably the oldest form of corruption that still sees the light of the day. Nepotism refers to someone giving preferential treatment to one’s relatives and friends over others hence depriving many deserving candidates. Cause he is my friend's son it has to be him. It is popularly called Connection.

• INFLUENCE PEDDLING

This refers to the illegal use of one’s influence by an individual in authority or those in government in other to obtain personal favour.

Give 4 causes of corruption in our society

There are many causes of this problem which can be listed under personal, social, and political causes which include;

• Power
• Greed
• Absence of role and law
• Degrading Ethical and Moral value

• POWER

“Power tends to corrupt and absolute power corrupts absolutely.” - Lord Acton. source

This quote from the famous politician enlights the affinity between power and corruption. It simply means power can corrupt as those with power can bypass fault and accountability by wielding their power and influence. Whereas the rationale of bestowing power on them was to empower them to act as facilitators for the interest of the masses.

Powers are expected to be used in implementing welfare schemes and projects, without any fear or foe, for the overall welfare of the masses, however, are being wielded to their interests, abrupting the interest of the public.

• GREED

Probably the most significant cause of corruption as human beings is insatiable beings for possessions, money, and assets. For this reason, those in authority tend to misapply the use of power to increase their fortune. Hence, leads to the covetousness of persons to conceive devious plans.

• ABSENCE OF ROLE AND LAW

Corruption prevails in the absence of role and law as all strict roles are made for the poor without power. Those who feel they are above the role of law tend to carry out these corrupt acts without fear as they do not follow laws or care about them.

• DEGRADING ETHICAL AND MORAL VALUES

The current state of the world has become a world of competition among brothers on who is most successful or has everything so everyone, not only wants to live a life of contentment but rather to be richer and have more assets than the next person resulting in corrupt practices to be successful and be above others.

It is of moral and ethical value to live a contented, honest, and trustworthy life, when these are missing, moral values become nothing, and without moral and social values, a society is ruined.

Explain 5 ways corruption can be prevented

• PROMOTING TRANSPARENCY AND ACCESS TO INFORMATION

To successfully curb corruption the government and individuals alike should encourage openness, freedom of the press, transparency, and access to information. As this gives those in power trustworthiness and simultaneously plays as a means to positively checkmate those in power. Hence, keeping offices honest, transparent, and accountable.

• EDUCATING THE SOCIETY

Guiding through education is documented as an adequate means to eliminate corruption to its nearest minimum. It is also believed that a well-educated society avoids criminal acts. Education also plays an important role in passing good morals and ethical values to younger generations.

• HAVING A STRONG ACCOUNTABILITY SYSTEM

A society with a strong system for accountability will encourage less corrupt practices as everyone would be held responsible for their crimes. Lastly

• IMPLEMENTATION OF LAWS

Building a society where everyone is accountable for their crimes no matter political or social class. A society where someone can commit any type of crime and get away without any form of punishment. Therefore, the implementation of equal laws for everyone will bring about justice and lead the track to eliminating corruption.

What can you personally do to prevent corruption in your locality?

• On a personal ground, there are certain actions everyone can take on to reduce the adverse effects of corruption, myself included, thus, what I can do include;

• Defending our moral dogmas in all aspects of life and presenting myself as a role model for others.

• Reporting any act of corruption to the right authorities in my little way.

• Forbidding myself from engaging in or enabling any unethical deeds.

• Taking part in supporting accountability, and transparency in any area of life I find myself.

• Taking part in the act of educating the younger generations about the dividends of corrupt practices.

What have Steemit's teams and top members done to prevent the platform from being corrupted?

_source

Different methods of corrupt practices exist within this great platform that is not allowed on the platform such as Plagiarism, Vote buying, using AI to create content, having more than a single account, and Tag spamming. Hence they have put in place certain rules and regulations contained in the mandatory achievement for every new come in achievement 3 posts. Other regulations include;

• Establishing a functional Moderators structure to check for defaulters such as plagiarism content and AI users.

• Education users to stay away from such practices as well

• Creating tools and algorithms to fish out fraudulent behaviours such as votes-buying.

• Setting up policing teams such as plagiarism finders to report defaulters.

These and many more ways are applied to uphold the authenticity of this great platform.

Is there any penalty for those who try to corrupt the Steemit platform?

"I have read and understand the Steemit Etiquette on the Steemit community and I will do my best to embrace it."

These were the exact words used to end our Achievement 3 posts, to say there are consequences for defaulters relying on the rigour of the offence ranging from warnings, and interim suspensions to permanent bans from the platform.

CONCLUSION

The act of Corruption is indeed a great immorality in our society, and hence, should be eliminated from the root. It is a poison that has crawled into the minds of many individuals from different age groups. Hopefully, with uniform efforts, we can get rid of or at least mitigate Corruption in our society.I invite @yakspeace, @Gesikeme and @petface.

---

My Introduction Post

---

---

NOTE: Always have a smile on your face, as you are never fully dressed without one.