By-Devendra Kumar Budakoti
“There is so much corruption in everywhere”—a sentiment frequently voiced by Indians themselves. Typically, this critique targets the system, the bureaucracy, and officials at every level, from high offices to grassroots administration. Public discourse often emphasizes corrupt politicians, inefficient leadership, and questions the integrity of the judiciary. Media coverage, social commentary, and public debates regularly highlight scandals, emphasizing the widespread nature of corruption in various sectors, including politics, education, healthcare, and law enforcement.
Yet, is corruption uniquely Indian, or a global phenomenon? Observers note that in many developed nations, routine bureaucracy—such as issuing certificates, identity cards, passports, or business permits—is comparatively less corrupt. In India, reports suggest that almost all permits and certificates can be obtained through informal payments, sometimes even by those who enter the country legally or illegally. Despite strict laws and the presence of enforcement agencies, corruption persists—a burden that authorities cannot shoulder alone without active citizen engagement and societal introspection. The persistence of such practices points to deeper social and cultural roots rather than mere administrative failure.
Our understanding of corruption often focuses narrowly on the State, overlooking our own role in perpetuating it. As citizens, we seldom reflect on the unethical compromises we make daily, both in society and in dealings with the state. From a sociological perspective, corruption is not merely structural; it is embedded in social norms, expectations, and everyday behaviors. Bribery, favoritism, and bending rules become normalized, sustaining a self-perpetuating cycle. Small acts of dishonesty, such as paying a bribe to avoid a traffic fine or securing a job through influence rather than merit, collectively reinforce systemic corruption.
Corruption is also closely intertwined with crime. Defined as the abuse of entrusted power for private gain—through bribery, embezzlement, and fraud—it is often trivialized, particularly in white-collar forms. Organized crime syndicates exploit corruption to infiltrate political, economic, and social systems, undermining institutions and diverting resources from critical sectors. Internationally, corruption facilitates human and drug trafficking, often with the complicity of state actors, while weakening global governance structures and reducing public trust in governments.
Political philosophy offers insight into why corruption persists. Social contract theorists—Hobbes, Locke, and Rousseau—highlight human tendencies that make corruption almost inevitable. Hobbes, in Leviathan (1651), described the “state of nature” as “solitary, poor, nasty, brutish, and short,” driven by human self-interest and desire for power. Even in modern democratic societies, these traits endure. Despite strong institutions, human behavior often reflects greed, envy, and ambition. Corruption may thus not merely be a systemic problem but a reflection of human nature. Without governance, law enforcement, and ethical norms, social chaos remains a risk.
Addressing corruption requires confronting both structural and personal dimensions. It thrives where institutions are weak and social norms tolerate unethical behavior. Everyday compromises—bribing for permits, bending rules, ignoring injustice—contribute to a culture that perpetuates itself. Until we acknowledge this dual nature, critiques of the system remain incomplete. Corruption is not confined to laws, institutions, or policies; it is embedded in the attitudes and behaviors shaping society. Understanding the interplay between human nature and structural incentives is essential to move beyond condemnation toward meaningful reform. Only through conscious effort, education, and civic responsibility can societies hope to mitigate this deeply rooted challenge.
So next time we think, talk and tolerate corruption, think about the absence of relevant Public Policies and lack of Good Governance, otherwise we will always witness and hear about healthy wealthy and wise people stealing in darkness!
