Government Corruption
Vocabulary to Know
Vocabulary to Know
Corruption Is On The Rise in Latin America
Corruption Is On The Rise in Latin America
A Study By Transparency International
A Study By Transparency International
Corruption exists in every country in the world. Because governments are run by people, and people aren't perfect, there are different amounts of corruption in different countries. Even limited governments can have corruption. Civil servants sometimes find ways to "cheat the system" in order to make themselves more powerful or wealthier.
Corruption exists in every country in the world. Because governments are run by people, and people aren't perfect, there are different amounts of corruption in different countries. Even limited governments can have corruption. Civil servants sometimes find ways to "cheat the system" in order to make themselves more powerful or wealthier.
In order to keep people and governments free from corruption, governments must try to be transparent through laws, processes, and other systems they create. A good government will work hard to keep its civil servants honest. Sometimes these systems work, but sometimes they either don't work or don't exist at all, allowing corruption to get worse.
In order to keep people and governments free from corruption, governments must try to be transparent through laws, processes, and other systems they create. A good government will work hard to keep its civil servants honest. Sometimes these systems work, but sometimes they either don't work or don't exist at all, allowing corruption to get worse.
Map Analysis
Map Analysis
HOW corrupt is the government?
HOW corrupt is the government?
One way to measure corruption is by how often people in a country have to pay a bribe to a civil servant in order to get something done. Bribery is when someone uses money or promises to get someone else to do something. For example, a police officer might demand $100 from someone they pulled over for speeding in exchange for not writing a ticket. This is corruption because it is a dishonest action by someone in power.
One way to measure corruption is by how often people in a country have to pay a bribe to a civil servant in order to get something done. Bribery is when someone uses money or promises to get someone else to do something. For example, a police officer might demand $100 from someone they pulled over for speeding in exchange for not writing a ticket. This is corruption because it is a dishonest action by someone in power.
The map below shows how many people in Latin America had to pay a bribe to a civil servant within the past year. The data was put together by a group called Transparency International, which hopes to educate everyone about what governments are the most corrupt.
The map below shows how many people in Latin America had to pay a bribe to a civil servant within the past year. The data was put together by a group called Transparency International, which hopes to educate everyone about what governments are the most corrupt.
Hover your mouse over the countries to see which ones had the highest bribery/corruption rates.
Hover your mouse over the countries to see which ones had the highest bribery/corruption rates.
Questions:
1. What is bribery?
2. Use the map online to find the corruption percentages (hover your mouse over each country to see the percentage of corruption)
3. Which country is the most corrupt?
Case Study on Corruption: Brazil
Case Study on Corruption: Brazil
WHO is corrupt & WHAT kinds of corruption is happening?
WHO is corrupt & WHAT kinds of corruption is happening?
In recent years, many countries in Central and South America have experienced a worrying rise in corruption. Even though Brazil has a low amount of bribery on the map created by Transparency International, they are dealing major corruption scandals. Read about Brazil as a case study to better understand what corruption is and how a country is impacted by it.
In recent years, many countries in Central and South America have experienced a worrying rise in corruption. Even though Brazil has a low amount of bribery on the map created by Transparency International, they are dealing major corruption scandals. Read about Brazil as a case study to better understand what corruption is and how a country is impacted by it.
Brazil's corruption scandal dates back to 2014, when dozens of business people and politicians were called out for accepting millions of dollars in bribes from the country's biggest oil company, Petrobas. The Brazilian citizens were so angry about the lack of transparency, they impeached their President Dilma Rouseff - meaning, they kicked their president out of office. She was arrested and put on trial for taking money from the country and using it for herself.
Brazil's corruption scandal dates back to 2014, when dozens of business people and politicians were called out for accepting millions of dollars in bribes from the country's biggest oil company, Petrobas. The Brazilian citizens were so angry about the lack of transparency, they impeached their President Dilma Rouseff - meaning, they kicked their president out of office. She was arrested and put on trial for taking money from the country and using it for herself.
Things seemed hopeful when Rouseff was impeached, but the new president, Michel Temer, turned out to be just as bad. Temer and his government are being accused of receiving up to $40 million dollars in bribes from Latin America's largest engineering firm so the government would hire that company. President Temer claims he is innocent, but his supporters have also introduced a new law that would allow civil servants to sue members of the court who speak out against corruption. Sounds suspicious, right?
Things seemed hopeful when Rouseff was impeached, but the new president, Michel Temer, turned out to be just as bad. Temer and his government are being accused of receiving up to $40 million dollars in bribes from Latin America's largest engineering firm so the government would hire that company. President Temer claims he is innocent, but his supporters have also introduced a new law that would allow civil servants to sue members of the court who speak out against corruption. Sounds suspicious, right?
Questions:
4. What happened in Brazil in 2014? Write at least one complete sentence.
5. How did the 2014 corruption scandal impact Brazil’s president, Dilma Rouseff?
6. Define “impeachment/impeached”:
7. What is the current problem in Brazil?
Former President Dilma Rouseff
President Michel Temer
Reflection: How Can We Fix Corruption?
Reflection: How Can We Fix Corruption?
Watch the video below and/or read the ideas below the video clip. Then, choose the 2 or 3 options you think will work the best to write about for your reflection.
Watch the video below and/or read the ideas below the video clip. Then, choose the 2 or 3 options you think will work the best to write about for your reflection.
I think the best way to fight corruption is… because…
Another idea I think would help stop corruption is… because…
Unfortunately, there is no easy fix for corruption, but there are many different ways to help reduce it:
Unfortunately, there is no easy fix for corruption, but there are many different ways to help reduce it:
- Effective law enforcement will ensure the corrupt are punished and prevent corruption from happening. Governments should have better training and education for police and create consequences for dishonest officers.
- Effective law enforcement will ensure the corrupt are punished and prevent corruption from happening. Governments should have better training and education for police and create consequences for dishonest officers.
- Better financial (money) management in the government is needed to keep people honest. Each government should hire people to examine the bank accounts of businesses and the government to help reduce corruption. Some governments also reward officials with money when they are proven honest.
- Better financial (money) management in the government is needed to keep people honest. Each government should hire people to examine the bank accounts of businesses and the government to help reduce corruption. Some governments also reward officials with money when they are proven honest.
- Promote transparency and access to information, such as through freedom of the press. Governments that are transparent (open) about where money is spent and how much helps keep those in power honest.
- Promote transparency and access to information, such as through freedom of the press. Governments that are transparent (open) about where money is spent and how much helps keep those in power honest.
- Empowering citizens helps encourage the people to speak up when they see corruption happening. Governments need to create easily accessible and anonymous reporting opportunities, and protect people who report corruption.
- Empowering citizens helps encourage the people to speak up when they see corruption happening. Governments need to create easily accessible and anonymous reporting opportunities, and protect people who report corruption.
GET EDUCATED & BE THE CHANGE
GET EDUCATED & BE THE CHANGE
A very effective way YOU can participate to reduce corruption is to "be the change you want to see in the world." Corruption, especially in Latin American countries, is a massive problem. The only way the next generation can wipe out corruption and establish a fair, honest, and corruption free society is to be the honest leadership that they want. Gain the knowledge of how to be a good leader. Be an honest congressman/woman and pass laws that treat corruption strongly. Create systems of accountability that hold police to high standards. Invest in education and reduce poverty and crime rates.
A very effective way YOU can participate to reduce corruption is to "be the change you want to see in the world." Corruption, especially in Latin American countries, is a massive problem. The only way the next generation can wipe out corruption and establish a fair, honest, and corruption free society is to be the honest leadership that they want. Gain the knowledge of how to be a good leader. Be an honest congressman/woman and pass laws that treat corruption strongly. Create systems of accountability that hold police to high standards. Invest in education and reduce poverty and crime rates.