1. FIGHT AGAINST CORRUPTION: ADVOCACY
OF ZERO TOLERANCE
Keshav Prasad Bhattarai
The Himalayan Times (July 12, 2010)
It was quite shocking to reflect on the Transparency International (TI) report released
on June 11, 2010. As per the anti-corruption index for the year 2009, Nepal has claimed
the 143rd position among 180 countries listed —it was 138th the previous year.TI also
observes that political instability, lawlessness, nepotism and lack of accountability have
mainly characterized this. Unfortunately, corruption has not only dominated governance at
all levels, but also that an anti-corruption agenda has not become a political and social
priority of Nepal.Corruption, as a great socio -political and economic evil of our society,
has been the biggest obstacles to justice, democracy and overall national development.In a
2003 Global Poll, conducted by the World Bank covering 48 countries, ranked corruption
the fourth critical issue of development after economic growth, poverty reduction and
education.
According to an estimate of World Bank Institute (WBI), worldwide bribery totals at
least one trillion dollar per year. This amount is equivalent to approximately 3 percent of
the gross world product. This is just the volume of the bribes but not the impact, which
ultimately goes to a much higher level.
One of the pioneers of anti corruption movement at the global level, James D.
Wolfensohn, president of the World Bank (1995 -2005 ) observes that corruption diverts
resources from the poor to the rich, increases the cost of running business, distorts
public expenditures and deters foreign investors. His immediate successor, Paul
Wolfowitz, in a similar vein, mentions that corruption is a disease that threatens the
hopes of the poor for a better future for themselves and their children. Indubitably,
corruption in Nepal, especially at the political level, has cruelly violated the et hos and
mores of a democratic system. Buying votes as well as selling favours and opportunities
has been the standard political practices maintained studiously by almost all political
parties. Those who gain access to political power also bag the most weal th, which
resultantly, widens the existing level of inequality to an intolerable level. This, in
consequence, has produced frustrations among the youths and the common people breeding
severe instability and even more corruption during such instability. In one of his highly
acclaimed book, “Political Order in Changing Societies”, Samuel P. Huntington has
explained that societies having high capacity for corruption also have high capacity for
violence. And, violence, as we have experienced in our own context , translates into
terrorism in no time, this or that way.
This unquestionably is fairly understood that both corruption and violence serve the same
goal; putting pressures upon the government and system to satisfy their demands in an

2. illegitimate way. This further weakens the state, its political institutions and energizes
violence and terrorism in return. The most
detestable thing we have come across these days is that politics has lost its whole set of
essence, ethos and mores. As analyzed by Huntingto n, politics has become the grand road
to wealth- exchanging political action with immense economic wealth. Politics has become a
major industry or business for people in power and again the wealth generated by power
would bring more power and correspondingly more wealth in a cyclic way. Understandably,
investment in no industry or business can give as much wealth in a short time than the
investment in politics.
Corruption thrives when government and political parties are weak and inefficient to
represent people with their interests, confidence and enthusiasm. But, they cannot be
strengthened overnight. According to a World Bank publication „experience and evidence
show that corruption has both national and international dimension‟. It has strong
connection with each other.Both the national and international community has a
tremendous job to do in this regard. They may effectively build pressures and encourage
any country to ratify international treatise against corruption.
The international communities also need to provide financial and technical support to a
developing country like Nepal build strong political and constitutional bodies to make a
fight against corruption. They may also support citizens‟ forums working against
corruption.Parliament, the most important political actor can curb corruption by ensuring
accountability. Parliamentary oversights through anti -corruption agencies and
empowerment of civil society and media have a most critical role in this regard to play. A
strong and independent judiciary accounts much in each and every national commitment
against corruption. Nothing can grow and be sustainable without strong public support. So,
in the case of combating corruption, it is the public who must come to lead the nation.
With confidence and strong civic actions, they can raise their voice and build effective
advocacy in favor of zero tolerance to corruption at the political level. —
kpbnepal@gmail.com