Nigerian Politics and Culture - Research Paper Example

?Running head: Corruption Nigerian style Nigerian politics and culture; corruption Rebeka Olmande Cross-Cultural Perspectives SOC315 Pamela Collins Insert Date Outline Introduction An overview of corruption and definitive issues Nature and characteristics of corruption Major causes of corruption Impacts of corruption Conclusion Nigerian politics and culture; corruption Introduction Corruption in Nigeria is marked by an extraordinary style that has long been attributed to variables related to culture and politics. The country has experienced hardships over the years in trying to curb the corruption challenge. Massive empirical and conceptual studies have portrayed Nigeria as a ground that incorporates all forms of corruption, ranging from governmental to individual involvement. Corruption is one of the problems that all countries around the globe are fighting with. It is evident from research that every country currently has formed a commission of enquiry to investigate on corruption, hence proving the challenge as a drawback. It entails the diversion of public/ proprietors funds or property into private ownership without the owners consent. Corruption encompasses rampant issues that should be duly defined to create a comprehension of its concepts to every individual in order to effectively curb the problem. More over, recent research has really focused on establishing the major causes of corruption, which include; poor government policies, endowment of natural resources, culture, politics as well as sociological factors. Furthermore, great impacts are experienced in a society dominated by corrupt enabling systems. These include an overall economic recession, inadequacy of peace and unity, wastage of time etc. However, the style and path corruption takes differs in different contexts depending on the root cause, control methodologies employed etc. Nevertheless, Nigeria has been long known for its extraordinary domination by corruption of all forms (Izibili and Aiya, 2007). The discussion in this paper offers a comprehensive research on corruption in Nigeria. Provision of a general overview of corruption and its definitive issues is vital in this case. It will also give a recap on nature and characteristics of corruption in Nigeria. More over, it will seek to establish the causes as well as the impacts of corruption in Nigeria. An overview of corruption and definitive issues Corruption is a form of funds or property misappropriation within an organization/ government or even between individual partnerships. It involves the process of securing power or material wealth through illegal means by individuals for personal gain. In the broad sense of view, two parties (a supplier and a demander) are often involved in a corruption deal when they arrange to exchange something illegally. In this case, the allocation of the property of exchange is done immediately or in future as well as facilitation of private gain facilitation at the expense of public property (Osoba, 1996). Innumerable styles are utilized in corruption in Nigeria. Misappropriation of public funds into private accounts by government officials is a common phenomenon in Nigerian corruption. Collection of bribes by police officers from people in order that they execute some of their duties is also rampant. In addition, most authorities may collect money illegally in the issuance of legal documents, for instance, passports, driving licenses, visas etc. Several models are available which describe directions that are commonly applied in corruption. The supply-initiated model involves the demander determining the course of the corruption. This is determined by the bribe-size, the desire of the briber as well as the time for the elision of such deals. The other is the bribe-oriented model, which entails the setting of a particular price by the bribe. The fulfillment of such corruption models entails undergoing an opportunity cost by the briber in order that they may have an opportunity provided by bribes. Therefore, corruption takes a normal path that is taken by any from of a business (Osoba, 1996). On the other hand, it has been confirmed that corruption is mainly conducted by elites, who instead of using their knowledge power to acquire wealth have chosen to get wealthy with ease. A number Nigerian resource are known to be the main avenues of corruption. First, the long years have had cases of reported corruption based on the oil. At the time when the country acquired her independence (1960), it was largely known for exporting products to other countries. These include; groundnuts, cocoa, timber, cotton, and palm oil in addition to hides and skins. As trade advanced, these export items become avenues of corruption, due to the realization that they were highly yielding. Natural gas production has also been declined by the existence of corrupt officials who exercise nepotism as favoritism by taking bribes from their clientele. Generally, corruption seems to be the main method of acquiring wealth in Nigeria, a factor that has really contributed to misery and poverty to the Nigerian’s vast population (Osoba, 1996). Nature, style and characteristics of corruption The nature of corruption in a particular society differs according to the form of government as well as the influence of the society. Recent studies have categorized corruption into various styles, forms as well subdivisions. The Nigerian forms of corruptions that have been so far are a variety, hence, corruption forms part of Nigerian culture. Political corruption has been a long term of corruption and the most rampant form. The government figures that are entrusted with decision- making processes, laws implementation procedures as well as preventing the challenge are the most corrupt. It also entails tailoring policy formulation and legislation to provide reimbursement for legislators and political leaders. This has made Nigeria acquire a culture of corruption to an extent of all citizens believing that one must use corrupt deals to acquire wealth. The political corruption has long formed the basis of corruption, affecting the country in a number of pronounced ways. Influence on the decision-making processes comes out negatively. More over, government institutions are ideally distorted and government institutions are easily manipulated (Dike, 2005). Secondly, bureaucratic form of corruption has also taken pre-eminence over the years in Nigeria. This entails one acquiring business through from public sectors in illegal ways. It is rampant in places like hospitals, schools as well as along the streets. This kind is executed as a result of a need by an individual, who goes through backdoors for the gain of the same from public institutions. The type of corruption is often much hidden and cannot be discovered easily. In Nigeria, citizens have got used t o this kind of a system, since it has been a normal encounter for them in everyday activities (Dike, 2005). More over, there is the electoral form of corruption. Nigeria is one of the countries that have the highest population figures in Africa. The election of government officials who are usually corrupt takes a corrupt form. The citizens are enticed with money and other promises in order that they vote for a particular candidate. There is also buying of votes where the government officials exchange money for votes. This has today become a culture, not only in the government election but also in any other form of an institution. The work places also have become fields of this form, where securing job positions depend on one’s relationship with the senior officials within an organization. Offering of gifts, payment of legal fees as well as giving family-related favors characterize this form of corruption (Dike, 2005). Furthermore, other styles and subdivisions of corruption have been identified. Bribery portrays the application of illegal relationships to acquire payments. For instance, one pays money to secure a work position in an organization. Fraud is another style where people use counterfeited documents or smuggle methods to acquire something. Some people often forge documents and use deceit in order to fulfill their needs rather than being honest. As a result of the widespread corruption in Nigeria, many elites have failed to believe in their potential, thus looking for shortcuts to acquire their needs. Other forms include favoritism of family and friends regardless of payments or not, embezzlement of funds in public sectors in addition to nepotism and extortion. All the herein discussed forms, styles, and characteristics have long taken pre-eminence in the Nigerian culture and politics (Dike, 2005). Major causes of corruption Corruption is a major problem, especially in the third world countries and specifically in Nigeria for the sake of this discussion. Myriad causes and sources of corruption have been recently identified by research analysts, most of them being related directly to the government. Political and cultural variables are common in considering the style of corruption in Nigeria. Cultural values may be attributed to the ethno linguistic characteristics, population proportions within a country, interactions between religions as well as societal diversity. Politically, non-democratic and non-developed states are widely identified as having been challenged by corruption, especially those states referred to as kleptocratic, prebendal, or neo-patrimonial. However, a number of major causes have been identified as follow (Osoba, 1996). First, policy induced mechanisms have been long-term causes of corruption in the country. Trade restrictions by the government have acted as avenues of corruption since the inception of international trade routes. Restrictions are induced in order to concentrate the activities of trade in the right channels and funding procedures. Nevertheless, some people who desire to do not have the strength to follow strict procedures and end up involving themselves in bribe-oriented activities. More over, practices of foreign and multiple-exchange rates pave a way for officials operating the enterprises involving themselves in corrupt activities (Smith, 2008). Secondly, endowment of natural resources has been a constant cause of corruption over the years. Nigeria is famously known for oil production, which is both locally and internationally consumed. The sale is often restricted to particular policies and regulations. However, owing to governance by a corrupt government regime, corruption over the exports systems has become rampant. It is true that countries with rich economic standards are highly prone to corruption. More over, the land is favourable for agricultural production, a factor that makes many engage in evil activities while trading with agricultural goods (Smith, 2008). More over, ethical standards are overlooked in both public institutions as well as organizations. This is caused by the government’s reluctance to observe or impose authority within their area of operation. The decision-making procedures are also not taken seriously to portray a kind of strict nature to the ruled in the country. The recent research studies indicate an inadequate system of setting moral standards within the country by government officials. No clear objectives definition standards have been found emphasized on by the government as well as organizational leaders since most of them are usually corrupt (Smith, 2008). Furthermore, there is a poor reward system in existence in Nigeria where hard work has no room for reward. However, wealth gained out of corrupt deeds is highly adored by the public as well as private individuals. Greed for power and material wealth has also been a rampant case in Nigeria. The government officials who are entrusted with law enforcement procedures, decision-making processes as well as execution of public policies are duly corrupt, a factor that has contributed to the rampant corruption. Inequality in wealth distribution in the country causes corruption of the highest order. Only corrupt people have the opportunity of acquiring the best property in the country and this causes ordinary citizens to involve themselves in corrupt activities to gain a living (Smith, 2008). Other causes include cultural and sociological factors. The Nigerian culture is characterized by a system where transformation of moral code of conduct is normal. The citizens embrace a certain level of moral and cultural behavior, code of dressing as well as building architectures. This desire leads most people to corruption in an urge to acquire the best cultural and moral values. In addition, the existence of ethnic loyalty in the political realms has also acted as a driver for corruption. Nevertheless, the causes of corruption are inexhaustible due to the path that the evil action has taken over the years with little measures being applied into its eradication (Smith, 2008). Impacts of corruption Corruption, being one of the most agonizing drawbacks in the societal, economical, and political contexts, has myriad consequences. First, it is a source of economic recessions that have been experienced in Nigeria, as well as in other societies. Oil and other resources-based corruption has been a constant source of trade decline in Nigeria. Secondly, corruption results in inappropriate utilization of time as well as resources, due to payments made to commissions of enquiry that are involved in investigations. Thirdly, corruptions results in manipulation of positions into those of personal gain. For instance, in the government, those that are elected are not there to meet the desires of the citizens they are meant to serve, but are out to gain personal property (Izibili and Aiya, 2007). More over, corruption has been a constant source of conflicts in most developed and underdeveloped countries. Nigeria, being an economically rich state has been dominated by corruption in the desire for many to trade in the resources such as oil, natural gas etc. The elites in Nigeria have long utilized their knowledge and wisdom in execution of corrupt activities, instead of utilizing the right paths to gain wealth. However, this is because of the notion that corruption has gained in the country in the years. Relevant skills that can be used for technological advancements are made instruments of corruption. As a result of corruption, quality in projects and production is no longer embraced, since people are out to gain and not to deliver what is best. Erosion of culture and political standards are also major effects experienced as a result of corruption in Nigeria. Numerous information sources describe the aspect of corruption as unavoidable in Nigeria, to an extent of it becoming an accepted culture. This involves even the erosion of religious practices, which may orient people to honesty and courtesy. Endless are the impacts of corruption in Nigeria for it is the main cause of economic, social, cultural, and political gaps that are in existence (Dike, 2005). Conclusion Corruption in Nigeria is marked by an extraordinary style, which has long been attributed to variables related to culture and politics. Nigeria has been long known for its extraordinary domination by corruption of all forms. The nature, style, and characteristics of politics include electoral and political, as well as bureaucratic forms. Myriad causes of corruption in Nigeria have been identified in the recent research findings. Innumerable consequences of politics have also been identified in the recent years, which include erosion of culture as well as manipulation of political and institutional systems. However, for Nigeria to effectively deal with the challenge of corruption, ethical standards have to be set and emphasized by the existing government. More over, the government officials have to implement and enforce laws in the country. It is also essential to come up with strategies that control the natural, cultural, social, as well as political systems. Nevertheless, more research should be conducted to find out the best strategies that can help curb corruption. References Dike, V. (2005). Corruption in Nigeria: A New Paradigm for Effective Control. Africa economic analysis. Retrieved from http://www.africaeconomicanalysis.org/articles/gen/corruptiondikehtm.html. Izibili, M and Aiya, F. (2007). Deregulation and Corruption in Nigeria: An Ethical Response. Ambrose Alli University press. Retrieved from http://www.krepublishers.com/02-Journals/JSS/JSS-14-0-000-000-2007-Web/JSS-14-3-000-000-2007-Abst-Text/JSS-14-3-229-2007-345-Izibili-M-A/JSS-14-3-229-2007-345-Izibili-M-A-Tt.pdf. Osoba, S. (1996). Corruption in Nigeria: Historical perspectives. Review of African political economy. ROAPE publications ltd. Retrieved from http://www.jstor.org/pss/4006378. Smith, D. (2008). A Culture of Corruption: Everyday Deception and Popular Discontent in Nigeria. Princeton University Press. Read More