Motives for Corruption Among Public Officials and Business Employees (Hypothetical Thought Experiment on Hate and Corruption)

There are two philosophical quandaries I have been playing around with my head. Over the years looking at economics and values I find they are integrally tied together. Economic health and social health are based in shared commitment to a sense of purpose as a people and as a nation (i.e. artifacts, oaths, spirit of law, etc.). I provide two examples of which one is a long running thought experiment for learning purposes. One positive and the other not so much. One shows a system strength and one shows its weakness in the conception and functioning of the whole.

Example 1: Business corruption in Detroit was relatively high until the city went bankrupt and those who believed in justice investigated and began to clear that corruption. The city's economic prospects improved. Some businesses were exploited but some were willing participants. Each made a choice. The business community helped overcome through coordinated effort. Politics, business, organized crime and corruption were related. Eventual justice was restored through the hands of many. It stands today as a testimony that the justice system will step up and ensure the needs of the people are met for a greater good. This was a positive example.

Example 2 (Hypothetical Example): A group of "clan" members that included a 'good old boy' network coordinated to harm whistleblowers, violate basic rights, openly knew of aggression/violence, spread hate based rumors to encourage harm, blocked employment through reputation damaging. The judge in this example was aware of misbehaviors and in turn rewarded the people in their social network who caused the problem. Protecting knowledge of other misbehaviors seemed easies by dumping problems on the victims. Conflicts of interest and nepotism were rampant. Hate and corruption were comingled. New victims came forward. There are no backstops, nothing else in the system to stand for what is higher, and this became an example of total default. 

The economics of both areas improved through the challenge of open corruption.

According to this study business and public corruption are a result of...

1. Lower moral values
2. Approval of social network to engage in corruption
3. The difficulties in complying with corruption rules.

Motives for Corruption Among Public Officials and Business Employees

In both examples people knew such corruption existed and retaliated against those who stood for our national beliefs. In Example 1 a level of justice was restored while in Example 2 justice was undermined and victims had no recourse without being subject to further mistreatment. They were warned to keep their mouth shut and then targeted. Good officials muted because poor officials made decisions they were not entitled to make. A lop sided system emerged where poor behaviors were more important than liberty or life.

What one may find interesting about both examples was that moral values of participants in corruption seemed low, social networks encouraged poor behaviors, and there would be financial or social disadvantages to following the laws in such circles. One had a back-stop due to the amount of people impacted (...respect for the purpose of law and shared societal values) while the other had little follow-up based on factors that are indicative that corruption may be ongoing problem (A lack of respect for the institution and the purpose of the laws.).

I must apologize for my writing heavily on the topic but I'm getting close to finishing a draft for a scholarly journal article on some economic research and on the last chapter of a book related to economic clusters and thinking beyond. After that, I may start writing another book on leadership that will include a component on resistance to the allure of corruption. In some ways a responsbility to challenge corruption and continue to fight for the long term health of society. Some aspects of that will delve into recognizing the greater roles business leaders have to their nation and supporting the underpinnings of economic growth through minimizing corruption and encouraging entrepreneurship and respect for transactional trust. The next book will be much faster but less detail focused as examples are for learning purposes.

*Keep in mind this is a theoretical discussion for philosophical purposes and learning so take with a grain of salt.

Gorsira, M., Denkers, A. & Huisman, W. Both Sides of the Coin: Motives for Corruption Among Public Officials and Business Employees. J Bus Ethics 151, 179–194 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10551-016-3219-2