Power Corrupts, Absolute Power Corrupts Absolutely

Written by Law Shopper on Thursday, May 7th, 2009

dictator

“Money, not morality, is the principle commerce of civilized nations.” Thomas Jefferson

Corruption can be found in any society, but it is in third world economies, that the selfish actions of the few with power is seen and felt with such brutality by so many.

In these communities, where corruption appears so tightly ingrained within the social fabric,  it is not uncommon for citizens to believe  that one must participate in the wrong doing in order to survive, whether it be an individual, a business or the government itself. This practice leads to the already scarce resources being pilfered, diluted, diverted and wasted.

Tackling systemic corruption must begin at the top with the government executive and flow down through the departments, honesty should then be demanded from the significant NGO’s in that country. Aid must be strictly monitored by independent observers, to ensure donor countries have their funds applied to the projects that they were intended for.

One model for the implementation of aid is to use third party contractors. For example, if a bridge needs to be built for $10 million dollars. Instead of dispersing the money directly to the developing nation’s government, the company/ies contracted to build the bridge negotiate and are paid directly by representatives of the donor nation.

One could argue that a recalcitrant regime would refuse entry to any aid bearing parties under such conditional offers. A regime that cuts off its nose to spite its own face, tends not to last long. The current North Korean dictatorial dynasty would not exist if it was not for the constant hand outs by its massive neighbor China. The Great Leader would of ended up being the great flop.

Both sides of the equation must bare altruistic motives. If the United States is prepared to build an airport in a third world failed African state, one would hope it was not for some future military foray to be launched from that same nation. Similarly, if China were to build a dozen schools, hopefully the bulldozers cranes and workers would not then be turned to the mines to strip that countries natural resources clean. One hand giveth, the other takes away.

It has been cynically observed that it is war, poverty and debt that creates great wealth for the international banks and in particular the World Bank. These organizations make their money by lending to both sides of the war, charging interest and then amazingly, has the victorious nation guarantee the repayments of the vanquished nation’s debt. The World Bank, Halliburton’s and Carlyle groups of this world do not want peace, they need destruction in order to move in re-build and then make the real killing. These organizations have not lost sight of the fact that it is natural resources and being on the positive side of the debt equation that represents true wealth and power. It is those that make the rules of the game that wins, not the bit players.

Who needs conspiracy theories, when the truth is plainly before us. The Land of the Free is really the land of the debt ridden shackled. The Land of Hope and Glory is a minor state amongst a conglomerate of corporately owned nations. And China, it rides on the back of sheer numbers, but eventually their one billionth smoke gushing car on the road will cost far more than anyone will be prepared to pay.

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