NCJ Number
64667
Journal
Sociological Review Volume: 9, Dated: (JULY 1961) Pages: 181-201
Date Published
1961
Length
21 pages
Annotation
BASED ON EXPERIENCES IN BRITISH COLONIES OF WEST AFRICA, SOCIAL CONDITIONS AND HISTORICAL FACTORS CONTRIBUTING TO CORRUPTION ARE EXAMINED AND COMPARED TO OTHER COUNTRIES IN THIS 1961 ARTICLE.
Abstract
WIDESPREAD CORRUPTION HAS MANY EVIL CONSEQUENCES, INCLUDING INEFFICIENCY, MISTRUST OF THE GOVERNMENT BY THE CITIZENS, DISCOURAGEMENT OF ENTERPRISE, AND POLITICAL INSTABILITY. A HIGH LEVEL OF CORRUPTION STEMS FROM A WIDE DIVERGENCE BETWEEN THE ATTITUDES AND OBJECTIVES OF A GOVERNMENT AND THOSE OF THE SOCIETY IN WHICH IT OPERATES. PRECOLONIAL WEST AFRICAN SOCIETY HAD A PRIMITIVE BUREAUCRACY AND MONEY PLAYED A MINOR ROLE. TRADITIONAL CUSTOMS, SUCH AS EXCHANGING GIFTS AND EXTENDED FAMILIES, CONTRIBUTED TO CORRUPTION ONLY WHEN THEY CAME INTO CONTACT WITH COLONIAL SOCIETY. THE MOST IMPORTANT AREAS OF DIVERGENCE BETWEEN THE COLONIAL GOVERNMENT AND THE WEST AFRICANS WERE THE OPERATIONS OF A LITERATURE GOVERNMENT IN AN ILLITERATE SOCIETY AND CONFLICTS BETWEEN LAWS AND POPULAR ATTITUDES. WHEN ONLY THOSE WHO CAN READ AND WRITE ARE ADMITTED INTO PUBLIC SERVICE, THE ILLITERATE MAJORITY RESORT TO BRIBING THE LOWEST PUBLIC FUNCTIONARIES IN ORDER TO COPE WITH REGULATIONS THEY DO NOT UNDERSTAND. IN TURN, MINOR PUBLIC SERVANTS CAN USE POWER OVER ILLITERATES TO SUPPLEMENT THEIR PAY. LAWS WHICH ATTEMPT TO PROHIBIT ACTIVITIES FAVORED BY THE PUBLIC ARE VULNERABLE TO CORRUPTION. THE COLONIAL GOVERNMENT IMPOSED MANY REGULATIONS WHICH CONFLICTED WITH TRADITIONAL ATTITUDES, SUCH AS THE ABOLITION OF SLAVERY, RESTRICTIONS ON LIQUOR SALES, AND CURRENCY REGULATIONS. THESE CONFLICTS HAVE NOT DISAPPEARED WITH THE COMING OF INDEPENDENCE. WEST AFRICANS SHOW NO INDIGNATION TOWARD PROVEN CORRUPTION AMONG HIGH-LEVEL OFFICIALS. CORRUPTION SOFTENS CONFLICT, REDUCES FRICTION, AND CEMENTS RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN POWERHOLDERS AND THOSE WHO CONTROL THE WEALTH IN THE INITIAL STAGES OF NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT. COMPARISONS ARE MADE IN LEVELS OF CORRUPTION IN SCANDINAVIAN NATIONS, CITIES WITH LARGE IMMIGRANT POPULATIONS, AND IN SPAIN, PORTUGAL, AND THE MIDEAST. BECAUSE OF THE DESIRE FOR RAPID ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND MODERNIZATION IN WEST AFRICA, CORRUPTION PROBABLY WILL INCREASE. OVER THE LONG TERM, CORRUPTION CAN BE PREVENTED BY GOVERNMENTAL DETERMINATION TO PROSECUTE CORRUPT OFFICALS, EDUCATIONAL CAMPAIGNS, AND RAISED STANDARDS AND IMPROVED WORKING CONDITIONS FOR PUBLIC SERVANTS. FOOTNOTES ARE APPENDED. (MJM)