There was an interesting article in Economist recently titled “Fighting Corruption in India: A zero contribution“.  I found the article very interesting, especially the unique way that’s used to fight corruption.  However, I’m seriously skeptical about the possibility of it working accross different cultures, especially here in Malaysia (It does keeps me wondering though whether corruption is more prevalent in Malaysia or India).

Anyway, back to the topic, the techniques used here is championed by an organization, 5th Pillar, which prints zero-rupee notes to be distributed.  This notes is then used by any individual to “pay” officials seeking bribery to signal that they will neither take nor give bribes.

Here are some parts of the article I found really interesting:

“One official in Tamil Nadu was so stunned to receive the note that he handed back all the bribes he had solicited for providing electricity to a village.  Another stood up, offered tea to the old lady from whom he was trying to extort money and approved a loan so her granddaughter could go to college.”

Would someone who has solicited bribes really give it all back?  Wouldn’t they have already used it?  This may just be some of the rare success cases, did anyone get into trouble using this trick?

“Mr Anand thinks the notes work because corrupt officials so rarely encounter resistance that they get scared when they do.”

They might get shocked when there’s resistence since it’s becoming a cultural norm, but would the officials really get scared?  I mean especially those with official powers.

“And ordinary people are more willing to protest, since the notes have an organisation behind them and they do not feel on their own. Simple ideas like this don’t always work.”

Organization or not, isn’t it still just another piece of paper?  What’s the difference between giving the note and saying “I do not give bribes because there are so many organizations against it?”.  I seriously don’t think it’s gonna make a difference.  Giving a zero dollar note might just get the official angry.

Some other questions I’d like to ask:

• What if it’s a big contract that requires huge sum of bribe?  Does that mean you write a “zero contribution” cheque?
• If you get into trouble using such notes, will the NGO behind this whole move really step up and protect you?  Even if they do, do they have the powers to do anything?  Highlighting to the media may be the only thing they could do.  And that’s if the media is not controlled by the powers too.

Just my personal view, all these just doesn’t work.  Sometimes bribes are not solicited.  Bribes follow the demand and supply curve too!  For those of you who hates officials, politicians, policeman and anyone who takes bribe, ask yourself these questions:

• Have you ever given a bribe.  If you have, why did you?
• Have you ever said anything to the effect of “Can you give me priority?  I’ll pay double the price.”  Isn’t this bordering bribery too?
• I need the delivery earliest possible, do whatever it takes.  (which may just lead to bribes being paid)

Many a times, people do pay bribes or be corrupt for whatever reason.  The only difference is often the degree of corruption by an individual.  And it’s interesting to see the corrupted ones complaining about how they hate corrupted officials when in fact they started it.  Remember the “paying double for priority”?  It may seem like a simple request, but it’s going to “educate” the receiver to look forward to more “double payment for priority” and eventually leads to bribery.  That’s how the world works!

Hate corruption?  Control yourself first!

Share on Facebook

Tags: bribes, corruptions, Culture, Politics & Economics

This entry was posted by Clayton J.C Tan on Thursday, February 4th, 2010 at 10:03 pm and is filed under Culture, Economy, Malaysian Politics. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.