Dishonesty also affects dishonest people too. 

For example, there was a politician who lied to the people and stole money meant for providing primary and specialist healthcare services to the citizens. Years after his tenure, his family member needed a medical transplant and was taken to another country for treatment because there were no good healthcare services in his country (recall he stole the money?). Instead of waiting for a donor, this politician tried to use his money and power to deceive a young man into donating his organs. It was reported that he was only caught because he tried to do this in a more honest society. In his own country, he would have gotten his way. This sort of situation is called impunity - when society is so corrupt that people can do all sorts of bad things and get away with it. It’s a bad situation for any society because those with money can oppress those without it and take away their human rights. 

How can we fight corruption in our societies?

This is the 2023 Corruption Perceptions Index: 2023 CPI. It is a ranking of countries based on public corruption that is carried out by Transparency International, an organization that has done work to support honesty everywhere. Look up your country and think about the reason for its ranking. What situation have you noticed in your environment that supports (or doesn’t support) its ranking? Look up the rankings in past years. Are there any changes? If it’s bad, do some research (the teacher/adult can help with this) and discuss why. If it’s good, also do the same. If it hasn’t changed, is this a good or bad thing and why? 

In addition, what other ways can you be an honest citizen? And if you get into power, think about laws you would make so that the citizens and government are honest. For instance, many countries have drug law enforcement agencies and electoral bodies that prevent people from trafficking drugs and messing up elections. That way, society is at peace.

Think of interesting laws that you would make. And think of who might not want this law passed. Why would they not want it and what would you do to enforce it? 

Expanded Perspectives:

Fighting Corruption - How to prevent political corruption - Stephanie Honchell Smith

What Corruption Does to you - What Corruption Does