Public Corruption

Public corruption is generally viewed as an obstacle to the development of a country. Many governments, international organizations, and aid agencies as well as donor-states have special agendas to fight the problem. Yet in the countries with high levels of corruption, arguments have been made that because corruption is pervasive, it has to have some benefit. While definitely not something to be proud of, public corruption is seen as an unavoidable side effect of development.”
Source: Law, Governance and Constitutions: International Debate Education Association. Retrieved from http://idebate.org/discussions/law-governance-and-constitutions/does-democracy-lead-bribery-and-corruption
With this context in mind read the following items: Corruption: Causes, Consequences, and Cures, by U Myint, from the Asia-Pacific Development Journal. Source: Myint, U. (2000, Dec.) Corruption: Causes, consequences and cures. Asia-Pacific Development Journal,7(2) 33-58.
The Corruption FAQ page at the website of Transparency International (TI). Take some time to browse the research resources on corruption at the TI website. Source: Transparency International: Archive Site. Retrieved from http://archive.transparency.org/news_room/faq/corruption_faq
Write a 2- to 4-page critical essay addressing the following claim about corruption: “Corruption is a Western concept and is not applicable to traditional societies, where corruption does not have such a negative meaning. Many traditional societies with a “gift culture” have a different understanding of civil responsibilities and etiquette. The social structure and political traditions of many countries are based on the beneficial exchange of rewards for services rendered, and cannot survive in its absence.” (Source: iDebate.org)
Answer the following questions in your essay:
Do you agree with any part of this claim? If so which parts? If not, why not? What do the readings say on the topic of corruption as cultural tradition? What counterarguments do they make to the above assertion? How could gift-giving traditions be used by unscrupulous officials as a way to take advantage of people in the name of tradition? Provide specific citation for any source used, be it the assigned readings, or other sources you may find during your research. Use at least two or more credible sources to support your claim or belief. You are encouraged to use the Kaplan online library, the Writing Center, and any other outside resources in supporting your task, using proper citations in APA style.
Note: Copying the counterargument from the iDebate Message Board on which this topic appears will not suffice, though you may use it as a guideline for your research.
Source: Debates: International Debate Education Association. http://idebate.org/debatabase/debates/politics/house-believes-bribery-sometimes-acceptable
The counterargument to the one above is as follows:
“The very idea of corruption is unethical, regardless of one- tradition. Cultural relativism is just an attempt to legitimize corruption by the corrupted. Not enough evidence has been presented to support the suggestion that corruption is required by certain socio-cultural practices. Moreover, regarding corruption as an innate quality of human culture undermines the hope for any improvement and is inherently fatalistic, serving as an excuse for creating cultures of corruption and fear.”
Source: Discussion: International Debate Education Association. Retrieved from http://idebate.org/discussions/law-governance-and-constitutions/does-democracy-lead-bribery-and-corruption
You can view the full debate, along with other Pro and Con arguments at the website for the International Debate Education Association, specifically the Debate topic page titled: “This House Believes that Bribery is Sometimes Acceptable."
Source: Debates:International Debate Education Association. Retrieved from http://idebate.org/debatabase/debates/politics/house-believes-bribery-sometimes-acceptable