Corruption and Efficiency in Government
Content
Corruption and
Efficiency in
government
By
Nabil Salau
PAD 4003
[Teacher‟s Name]
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Introduction
Corruption
Definition
Types (in the USA)
Causes (in the USA)
History
Efficiency
Definition
Methods of Control
notes
1
Introduction
Corruption is an ever changing negative factor in government that has been battled with
since the founding of the American government. The main focus of this paper will be on both the
corruption and efficiency of the US government. Also, included will be a brief explanation of the
US‟s strive for a greater government. Government is not and end but rather a means to an end,
and due to the ever changing nature of humans, government must continue to adapt to keep up to
pace with the changing times. Working against corruption is no easy matter, but that does not
make it impossible.
Corruption is defined as dishonest or fraudulent conduct by those in power, typically
involving bribery.” But, when it comes to politics, corruption can be defined as the use of powers
by government officials for illegitimate private gain. The most common type of corruption is
mostly unethical and less criminal when it comes to politics. There are different kinds of
corruption, described by Nicholas Henry as „Graft‟, which is basically o more politically correct
word for corruption.
Sneaky-pete politics: which is basically overcharging citizens for services provided by the state
like sewage, higher property tax, etc.
Murder and mortification
Nonprofit sector
Now, given the nature of corruption, it is very hard to comprehend where it lies and the source of
it‟s roots thus making it extremely complicated to create measures to safe guard the people.
2
Causes of corruption
Corruption can be caused by a large number of factors ranging from the lowest to the
highest level of political members. The range from strictly business related to being personal.
Corruption due to structure: It is easier for corruption to take place in larger governments
compared to smaller ones. This is due to the vast number of employees and sub-divisions,
making it difficult to keep a check on all operations as effectively as one would want.
The government that are more perceptible to corruption are those with a centralized form of
government. Although the government does employ measures to check these operations, it does
not change the view of the public on political corruption.
Corruption from culture: Societies riddled with large rural areas, poverty and low social
capital tend to have high levels of corruption. This is due to the fact that there is not enough man
power to watch the corrupt high ranking officials and correct employee misconduct. This is
explained clearly in the graph below. Corruption on the left and poor economy on the bottom
side.
3
It is clear that the poorer the society, the higher the level of corruption.
Corruption due to Public Officials: As usual this has to do with public officials, mostly
highly ranking, who embezzle money for their own personal gain. It is believed that because the
causes of corruption are known it should be easy to stop it. But this is not true, there are several
reasons for the continuance of corruption. The same situations that cause corruption also ensure
its persistence over time. The more centralized our government is, the more chance there is for
the misuse of power and less chance for the press to expose such injustices.
History
The existence and concern /fear of corruption by the public dates back to the founding of
the American government system. Since, as mentioned earlier, corruption is ever changing the
means for battling it must also keep up. The founders of America knew from the beginning that
4
corruption would be there greatest adversary to government and created Administration as a
means of battling corruption. During the early 20th Century, corruption was defined as “the
political party‟s misuse of government and tax payers who paid for the travesty.”() Over time it
became less of a rot problem and more of a spreading problem. Corruption has a tendency
widespread over time and now the focus is on containing it. In the beginning we had a more clear
understanding of graft, but presently, the perception of graft by the public now includes “waste”
and “abuse” among the already included fraud.
Efficiency
Seeing as America is not a poor nation it is free from the structural causes of corruption.
America is largely comprised of urban areas and a large number of administrative units which
aid in the lowering of corruption. Also, although there is a centralized form of government the
press without fail relentlessly stays on top of government actions. Now efficiency can be defined
as an organization‟s ability to achieve a certain goal in the most efficient manner possible. For
the US government to achieve this, corruption cannot exist. Therefore different methods and
safeguards are put in place to battle corruption.
Methods of Control
The first measure includes the use of traditional methods such as rigid policies, standard
rules and regulation, and the use of administrative officers such as attorneys, comptrollers, and
other personnel specialists. Although these methods may be considered old and out of date, it is a
5
fact that about one third of graft cases stem from institutional functions of control. But it is also
true that these traditional methods work only up to a certain point. Which is why newer methods
are developed as times change.
Newer methods such as keeping records electronically have been a great help in the
reduction of traditional graft, but both the old and the new methods need to be used in tandem to
work effectively. Investigating and exposing those who are corrupt or aid corruption is not the
same as disposing of it. The media nowadays tend to think the two are one and the same. For
example, a corrupt public official may be exposed but not fined nor punished as severely as
he/she should be, and still be allowed to continue in his/her line of work. One of the most
troubling facts is that those who are in charge of corruption prevention may themselves be
corrupt, also the safeguards are long and tedious and this makes it harder to those who are swift
in corruption.
Notes
Corruption is not a factor that can be one hundred percent eradicated, due to its ever
changing nature. We do have methods to combat corruption, such as strict methods of change,
rigid policies, etc. No one person is responsible for graft but each individual can aid towards the
collective goal of correcting graft.
6
Bibliography
Henry, N. (1975). Public administration and public affairs (pp. 145-152). Englewood
Cliffs, N.J.: Prentice-Hall.
Crime, Poverty and Police Corruption in Developing Countries. (n.d.). Retrieved
November 4, 2014.
Candler, G. (n.d.). Corruption and complexity. Retrieved November 4, 2014, from
http://www.unf.edu/~g.candler/PAD4003/06.pdf
Transparency International, Corruption Perceptions Index 2013, Retrieved November 4,
2014 from http://www.transperency.or/cpi2013/
7
Efficiency in
government
By
Nabil Salau
PAD 4003
[Teacher‟s Name]
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Introduction
Corruption
Definition
Types (in the USA)
Causes (in the USA)
History
Efficiency
Definition
Methods of Control
notes
1
Introduction
Corruption is an ever changing negative factor in government that has been battled with
since the founding of the American government. The main focus of this paper will be on both the
corruption and efficiency of the US government. Also, included will be a brief explanation of the
US‟s strive for a greater government. Government is not and end but rather a means to an end,
and due to the ever changing nature of humans, government must continue to adapt to keep up to
pace with the changing times. Working against corruption is no easy matter, but that does not
make it impossible.
Corruption is defined as dishonest or fraudulent conduct by those in power, typically
involving bribery.” But, when it comes to politics, corruption can be defined as the use of powers
by government officials for illegitimate private gain. The most common type of corruption is
mostly unethical and less criminal when it comes to politics. There are different kinds of
corruption, described by Nicholas Henry as „Graft‟, which is basically o more politically correct
word for corruption.
Sneaky-pete politics: which is basically overcharging citizens for services provided by the state
like sewage, higher property tax, etc.
Murder and mortification
Nonprofit sector
Now, given the nature of corruption, it is very hard to comprehend where it lies and the source of
it‟s roots thus making it extremely complicated to create measures to safe guard the people.
2
Causes of corruption
Corruption can be caused by a large number of factors ranging from the lowest to the
highest level of political members. The range from strictly business related to being personal.
Corruption due to structure: It is easier for corruption to take place in larger governments
compared to smaller ones. This is due to the vast number of employees and sub-divisions,
making it difficult to keep a check on all operations as effectively as one would want.
The government that are more perceptible to corruption are those with a centralized form of
government. Although the government does employ measures to check these operations, it does
not change the view of the public on political corruption.
Corruption from culture: Societies riddled with large rural areas, poverty and low social
capital tend to have high levels of corruption. This is due to the fact that there is not enough man
power to watch the corrupt high ranking officials and correct employee misconduct. This is
explained clearly in the graph below. Corruption on the left and poor economy on the bottom
side.
3
It is clear that the poorer the society, the higher the level of corruption.
Corruption due to Public Officials: As usual this has to do with public officials, mostly
highly ranking, who embezzle money for their own personal gain. It is believed that because the
causes of corruption are known it should be easy to stop it. But this is not true, there are several
reasons for the continuance of corruption. The same situations that cause corruption also ensure
its persistence over time. The more centralized our government is, the more chance there is for
the misuse of power and less chance for the press to expose such injustices.
History
The existence and concern /fear of corruption by the public dates back to the founding of
the American government system. Since, as mentioned earlier, corruption is ever changing the
means for battling it must also keep up. The founders of America knew from the beginning that
4
corruption would be there greatest adversary to government and created Administration as a
means of battling corruption. During the early 20th Century, corruption was defined as “the
political party‟s misuse of government and tax payers who paid for the travesty.”() Over time it
became less of a rot problem and more of a spreading problem. Corruption has a tendency
widespread over time and now the focus is on containing it. In the beginning we had a more clear
understanding of graft, but presently, the perception of graft by the public now includes “waste”
and “abuse” among the already included fraud.
Efficiency
Seeing as America is not a poor nation it is free from the structural causes of corruption.
America is largely comprised of urban areas and a large number of administrative units which
aid in the lowering of corruption. Also, although there is a centralized form of government the
press without fail relentlessly stays on top of government actions. Now efficiency can be defined
as an organization‟s ability to achieve a certain goal in the most efficient manner possible. For
the US government to achieve this, corruption cannot exist. Therefore different methods and
safeguards are put in place to battle corruption.
Methods of Control
The first measure includes the use of traditional methods such as rigid policies, standard
rules and regulation, and the use of administrative officers such as attorneys, comptrollers, and
other personnel specialists. Although these methods may be considered old and out of date, it is a
5
fact that about one third of graft cases stem from institutional functions of control. But it is also
true that these traditional methods work only up to a certain point. Which is why newer methods
are developed as times change.
Newer methods such as keeping records electronically have been a great help in the
reduction of traditional graft, but both the old and the new methods need to be used in tandem to
work effectively. Investigating and exposing those who are corrupt or aid corruption is not the
same as disposing of it. The media nowadays tend to think the two are one and the same. For
example, a corrupt public official may be exposed but not fined nor punished as severely as
he/she should be, and still be allowed to continue in his/her line of work. One of the most
troubling facts is that those who are in charge of corruption prevention may themselves be
corrupt, also the safeguards are long and tedious and this makes it harder to those who are swift
in corruption.
Notes
Corruption is not a factor that can be one hundred percent eradicated, due to its ever
changing nature. We do have methods to combat corruption, such as strict methods of change,
rigid policies, etc. No one person is responsible for graft but each individual can aid towards the
collective goal of correcting graft.
6
Bibliography
Henry, N. (1975). Public administration and public affairs (pp. 145-152). Englewood
Cliffs, N.J.: Prentice-Hall.
Crime, Poverty and Police Corruption in Developing Countries. (n.d.). Retrieved
November 4, 2014.
Candler, G. (n.d.). Corruption and complexity. Retrieved November 4, 2014, from
http://www.unf.edu/~g.candler/PAD4003/06.pdf
Transparency International, Corruption Perceptions Index 2013, Retrieved November 4,
2014 from http://www.transperency.or/cpi2013/
7
