Why is corruption omnipresent? Why can’t we defeat it?

Corruption is something that is universally frowned upon, yet it is still omnipresent. It seems like all our efforts to eliminate corruption have been proved futile. But, why corruption is everywhere? Why can’t we defeat it? I think the problem is how we approach the issue of corruption. When we address the issue of corruption, we often treat it as an isolated entity. And we always overlook the nature of power. Are we barking up the wrong tree? To find out, let’s dive right in.

The nature of power

To understand the nature of power, we need to trace it back to its history. Although we do not know how power originated, we can certainly say that power is not a human construct as it also exists in the animal kingdom.

Everything is simple in the animal kingdom. For instance, power is just a tool to control and nothing else. And it is not bounded by anything. Even the rules are very simple like the binary of dos and don’ts. They are not explicit either. So the line between power and rule is blurred. In other words, power is the rule! Well, it is not difficult to comprehend this idea. For instance, a lion cub understands the rules through the language of power. If the mother or father opposes or intimidates the cub, then it is a no; else it is a yes.

So, the innate nature of power demands an unbounded ability to control.

The Transformation

The simplicity of the natural world is directly related to the lack of complex languages. Complex ideas can exist only when there are complex languages. For instance, the lack of complex languages in pre-toddlers and toddlers means that they understand and obey the rules through the language of power. This is exactly the same as in the animal kingdom!

In the civilized world, nothing is simple. Our complex languages aid us in both formulating and understanding complex rules. The language of power is simply is insufficient for us. Our complex set of rules impose limits on the extent of power. Of course, in case of absolute power, rules are arbitrary and not equally applied, and powerful ones are exempted. But the presence of a complex set of rules means power is not unbounded.

This transformation aided in the conception of the new idea of corruption. We defined corruption as abuse or misuse of power against the established rules. Mind you, both power and rule exist in the natural world but corruption does not. Corruption is a human construct. In other words, the idea of corruption is virtually nonexistent when power is in its primitive unbounded form.

Why corruption is omnipresent?

“Power tends to corrupt and absolute power corrupts absolutely” — Lord Acton

In the natural world, power is unbounded. Our complex rules limit the extent of power. We further added complexity to power with our complex ideas like corruption and the Rule of Law. We adopted this complex variant of power rather than the simple primitive one because it is beneficial to most of us. In essence, we have stretched power so much that it has lost its innate nature,

A stretched elastic band is bound to return to its original position without proper support mechanism. Similarly, corruption is omnipresent because power without corruption is unstable! In fact, the definition of corruption i.e., abuse or misuse of power against established rules, is itself against the innate nature of power i.e., being unbounded. In other words, power tends to corrupt because power tends to return to its unbounded original state.

What can we do now?

Corruption is a by-product in the process that refines the power of natural order into the power of civilized order.

If we are seriously concerned about corruption, then we need to appreciate the fact that corruption is a by-product in the process that transforms the power of natural order into the power of civilized order. All these days we were trying to address the issue of corruption without even considering the nature of power. We were essentially barking up the wrong tree!

No broom sweeps the floor once, forever.

And power is essential for the progress and survival of our civilization. So power is here to stay. This means we cannot eliminate corruption. But we can manage it. When we make something complex, there will be consequences. And it is our responsibility to have a mechanism in place to manage them. Actually, we have done it many times. For instance, we invented clothes, and this adds complexity over our natural way of living. And the consequence is that the clothes get dirty. But luckily, we have a mechanism to manage and that is washing the clothes.

Similarly, we can manage corruption. Mind you, given the nature of power, managing corruption will not be a one-time affair. No broom sweeps the floor once, forever. Managing corruption with a set-and-forget system is impossible.

“It is more proper that law should govern than any one of the citizens.” — Aristotle.

We need a system that is proactive, works round the clock, vigilant, and plastic. We should protect or upgrade our democratic institutions. We should make them stronger and/or build new robust ones. Aristotle said, and I quote, “it is more proper that law should govern than any one of the citizens.” Along the same lines, it is more proper to have stronger institutions than stronger men to combat corruption.

Power and corruption are inseparable and we absolutely need power. So, corruption cannot be eliminated- We have to deal with it!

“Corrupt politicians make the other ten percent look bad.” — Henry Kissinger