Definitions of corruption

1. Dishonest or illegal behaviour, especially by powerful people’ (MWD)
2. The use of public office for private gain’ (WB)
3. The abuse of entrusted power for private gain’ (TI)

Corruption can be described using the following formula:

C=P/E-A; where,

C shows the level of corruption

P shows power authority

E shows ethics, which is the background for exercising power authority

A shows accountability. Accountability as I see it has two dimensions, namely horizontal, which refers to the expectations from the point of view of beneficiaries; vertical, from the view of the source of power, that holds an X accountable if things go wrong in the exercising of power.

Memidex dictionary/thesaurus defines the word corruption, “use of a position of trust for dishonest gain” (n.p.). In the light of this definition, there are at least two parties involved in corruption namely, a position holder and a party who wants to be served by the position. When each party understands the underlying principles (of the position) and plays normally, trust is created and maintained. Open communication and trust are the building blocks of a positive relationship.  However when corruption is practised, trust is severely eroded, that eventually lead to various forms of negative relationships, including conflicts. Although there are various types of positions that harbour corruption, including political, religious, social, institutional and economic, using political position for corruption is emphasised in this article. Political corruption may take the form of bribery, extortion, and misuse of official information.

Encyclopedia Britannica defines bribery, “the act of promising, giving, receiving, or agreeing to receive money or other items of value with the corrupt aim of influencing a public official in the discharge of his official duties” (n.p.). The encyclopedia explains that, bribery in this definition implies the misconduct of all the government officials (from local to the national level), as well as bribery that involve voters, jurors, witnesses, and other lay participants in official proceedings. Although bribery is a crime, many countries have not been able to manage it. This is believed to be due to the internationalization of transactions and the wide disparity between the poor and rich. The World Bank estimates that bribery from the private sector to the public sector alone, costs US$ 1 trillion annually.

Extortion involves “the unlawful exaction of money or property through intimidation” (Encyclopedia Britannica n.p.).  This may include threats of harm to a person or his property, threats to accuse him of a crime, or threats to reveal embarrassing information. Many scholars from the developing countries believe that some countries that are ruled by the monopoly of one party system, such as Ethiopia are severely affected by this form of corruption.

Misuse of official information may include such crimes as breath of faith, mutiny and treason that lead to the security of a country at risk.

In the light the above definitions, corruption undermines the underlying sociopolitical system and the rule of law. and violates the basic human rights. Therefore, any form of corruption is a crime, and both parties of corruption should be treated as criminals by an appropriate court system (local or international).

In some developing countries, such as Ethiopia, corruption has become one of the major challenges facing the society.