IS POVERTY A REAL CAUSE OF CORRUPTION?

[Deogratias Munishi]

Dear members of this chamber,
It's my hope that everybody who was in Brussels has returned safely in his/her field of operation, I.e the home country.

I thank God on your behalf as he made that for his Glory.

Dear members,
When in Brussels, some of us mentioned poverty as one of the causes of corruption in most of our countries and a rejection of this point was made especially in the group in which I was.

I see it better for us all to have a look on this with a close eye as I see and believe that this is not a cause as it is a justification to perpetuate corruption. My view as it was in Brussels is that ethical and people with integrity can not value corruption however poor they may be. It is from this that I see the roots of corruption emanating and any healing of this problem has to be centered on building a moral and  ethical generation as those in group three were struggling to strategize on the matter.

When there exists a moral and ethical society in which corruption is seriously denounced and declared to be just like the big sin of human killing, I'm sure other structures which promote corruption will never be entertained.

Welcome on this all as its just a recapitulation of what took place in Brussels.

[Raghda Allouche]

I believe that there is a correlation between poverty and corruption.
Corruption usually affects economic growth and thus affects employment rates and income levels which might lead to poverty. In addition, corruption affects the quality of government services and the shape of public expenditures which affects mainly the poor.
But to look at poverty as a cause of corruption is to overlook the corrupt practices perpetuated by the rich people that has even a greater social impact than for example a small bribe given to a public servant.

[Gerald]

Yes, poverty breeds corruption but it's not the cause.

[Joseph Mansilla]

Raghda and Gerald are correct. There IS a correlation (see my presentation, hehe), but it is different from causation.

[Ulf Bo Stefan Carlstrom]

Dear oh, dear,
Poverty is not the cause of corruption, corruption is the cause of powerty!!!
Best regards,
Stefan Carlstrom

[Siddhartha Bandyopadhyay]

Most of the communities in India (such as Bengali), are succumbed in 'Culture of Poverty'(a theory introduced by an American anthropologist Oscar Lewis), irrespective of class or economic strata, lives in pavement or apartment. Nobody is at all ashamed of the deep-rooted corruption, decaying general quality of life, worst Politico-administrative system, weak mother language, continuous absorption of common space (mental as well as physical, both). We are becoming fathers & mothers only by self-procreation, mindlessly & blindfold.  Simply depriving their(the children) fundamental rights of a decent, caring society, fearless & dignified living. Do not ever look for any other positive alternative behaviour (values) to perform human way of parenthood, i.e. deliberately co-parenting of those children those are born out of ignorance, real poverty. All of us are being driven only by the very animal instinct. If the Bengali people ever be able to bring that genuine freedom (from vicious cycle of 'poverty') in their own life/attitude, involve themselves in 'Production of Space’(Henri Lefebvre), at least initiate a movement by heart, decent & dedicated Politics will definitely come up.
- Siddhartha Bandyopadhyay, 16/4, Girish Banerjee Lane, Howrah-711101, India.

[Ulf Bo Stefan Carlstrom]

...I'm surprised...everyone knows corruption it the cause of poverty...not the other way around...that's elementary Dr. Watson...