Fighting Corruption and Embezzlement in Third World Countries
| Published date | 01 April 1995 |
| Date | 01 April 1995 |
| DOI | http://doi.org/10.1177/0032258X9506800210 |
| Subject Matter | Article |
Fighting
Corruption
and
Embezzlement
in
Third
World
Countries
Dawit Kiros Fantaye*
Abstract Economic crime is one of the most serious crimes endangering
the national security and public safety of any country.
It
is directly
associated with legal, political, social,
human
rights and development
issues. In particular, economic crime harms Third World countries such as
Ethiopia where poverty is prevalent and the economy is poor and sup-
ported by foreign aid and loans. White-collar employees like higher
government officials and businessmen play a key role in creating and
increasing economic crimes, namely corruption, embezzlement and fraud,
all over the world.
It
is therefore important
that
any form of economic
crime is identified and punished severely, by appropriate prison terms
according to the seriousness of the offence. By applying these kinds of
penalties to economic criminals, the rate and frequency of economic crime
can be minimised and, simultaneously, pave a way to the fundamental
practices of democracy, government transparency and the dominance of
the rule of law in
the
country. The main purpose of this article isto explain
the effect of corruption in Third World countries and ways in which it can
be combated, in particular by the imposition of heavy penalties on those
who
choose to commit economic crimes in Third World countries. It is
argued
that
this must be done to protect
human
rights, to bring about
political and social stabilisation, to ensure effective and even distribution
of national wealth and, eventually, to secure democracy and sustainable
development in the Third World countries.
Economic
crimes
such
as
corruption,
fraud
and
embezzlement
are
set-
backs
to
most
developing
and
developed
countries.
Combating
corrup-
tion
is
now
one
of
the
highest
priorities
on
the
agendas
of
government,
international
development
agencies
and
leading
organisations.'
Eco-
nomic
crime
is
one
of
the
most
dangerous
crimes;
it facilitates
poverty,
increases
rule
by
force,
violates
human
rights
and
reduces
government
transparency.
A
concomitant
of
endemic
corruption
is
that
many
people
in
Third
World
countries
have
limited
access to basic
necessities.
The
impact
of
corruption
can
be
assessed
by
looking
at
the
experience
of
particular
Third
World
countries.
For
example,
in
Uganda:
The diversion of public resources, services and assets to private use gen-
erally results in deteriorating roads,
poor
medical facilities, dilapidated and
ill-equipped schools
and
falling educational standards. Furthermore, it can
be argued
that
the
direct economic costs of corruption are diverted by
the
indirect costs. Widespread, systematic corruption can
undermine
the
legiti-
macy of
the
public section and foment political instability. As corruption
erodes confidence in political leaders
and
institutions,
the
government
becomes less able to rely on
the
cooperation
and
support of
the
public,
and
*LLM
Student
of Zhejiang University, Hangzhou. China. The
author
would like to
express his
thanks
to Professor Song Yonxin for supervision in preparing this article.
1 W. Heath, 'SA Can Set Anti-corruption Example',
Business
Day,
26 August 1999.
170
To continue reading
Request your trial