THE GENESIS OF CORRUPTION: LOST WORK VALUE AND SOCIAL ACCEPTANCE IN THE THIRD WORLD
Corruption is evident in these two category of persons; a worker whose attitude is in sharp contrast with the one who isn't working. The worker thinks before spending, he is aware of the rigorous nature of his work before earning his money and often wants to be economical as much as possible. He wants accountability for any dime spent and often hopes he could get a commodity for much lesser. He is smart, not lazy, for through his work shall he go begging. He is swift to react to losses, waistfulness and non-chalance. They say he's stingy but I call him cautious and prudent. He is not a spendthrift dishing out cash like ATM while others hail on - "long live the king". He has an alternative forgone and he is beset by numerous choices (oil, agriculture, manufacturing, services, technology etc). He has a strong bargaining power and he is responsible for his the choices he makes without seeking aid from outside.
Unlike the worker, the lazy, opportunist dumb-head spend money as he deems fit (corrupt politicians fall under this category). he is not accountable, he views money as an ultimate goal and not a means, he prides himself as fortunate and blessed. he isn't bordered by loss, meltdown or fall in global oil price except it threatens his continuous excesses and capable of shouldering down his pompous jamboree lifestyle. Indifferent as he is, he is not bordered by damages and care less about destruction if it doesn't affect his pocket.. He wants more than is required for life, his wants are more than his needs, it also outweighs his income. He looks forward with hope and confidence from whence money shall come, he tries his luck in politics, like a betting game but with sure chances of winning (too sure). A man of pleasure without work, he thinks of different ways of getting money rather than earning money. He is less bordered by the inflated some of commodities.
However, he would not get all he desires and the reality on ground is evidently getting closer to his source of livelihood; danger looms. This is sad. When soon will he start working and begin to generate income? well, may be very soon if he gets a work larger than his mouth. A kind of work in which money made is greater than workdone? or resort to begging of arms from donors? Donors are not spendthrifts, come to your senses Oh boy! Behold technology and Industrialization are now being discovered like crude oil; hahahahaha- not even sci-fi movies had tried that except if the aliens return: awake and face reality young man God is not a magician, so don't tell me nonsense about miracles in that form.
Who will ask him how he got his wealth? or bring him to justice? Traditional Africa would have cursed him and sent him to the gods to judge, he would have been ostracized, his ordeal would have served a veritable source of social con
trol, other's actions would have been shaped by the prevailing social construct. Now, however, it is the society that sings his praise, they adore and worship a prosperous son who lavishes his wealth at them in the form money and wrapped handy food. A connection between poverty and laziness. Afterall, who doesn't want a child rich enough to feed his community during festivities?; he is a gift from the gods.
Man is a product of his environment, his actions are value oriented (borrowing from Weber's social action theory). If a society places much emphasis on wealth rather than the means of acquiring wealth, individuals would aspire to be wealthy whatever the means. Corruption in Africa is a product of Africa's disoriented value system. We love, yet we hate it. as long as we benefit from the leakages in the economy, we want it to continue. We hate it because the consequences stare us in the face in the form of violence, insecurity, bad leadership, poor infrastructure, poverty and ultimately underdevelopment. Corruption is what we define to be so called. Corruption in Africa is not a mental state as it affects individuals, but a social state. it is right as long as the family says its right. if the religious institutions does not condemn it. if it is justified by the justice system so be it. Corruption is not only a product of instinct as I understand that men are born corrupt but innocent, but it is well nutured by the social nutrients which feeds it. Social accommodation. What will end this fellowship? check out the common enemy theory on this blog.
Unlike the worker, the lazy, opportunist dumb-head spend money as he deems fit (corrupt politicians fall under this category). he is not accountable, he views money as an ultimate goal and not a means, he prides himself as fortunate and blessed. he isn't bordered by loss, meltdown or fall in global oil price except it threatens his continuous excesses and capable of shouldering down his pompous jamboree lifestyle. Indifferent as he is, he is not bordered by damages and care less about destruction if it doesn't affect his pocket.. He wants more than is required for life, his wants are more than his needs, it also outweighs his income. He looks forward with hope and confidence from whence money shall come, he tries his luck in politics, like a betting game but with sure chances of winning (too sure). A man of pleasure without work, he thinks of different ways of getting money rather than earning money. He is less bordered by the inflated some of commodities.
However, he would not get all he desires and the reality on ground is evidently getting closer to his source of livelihood; danger looms. This is sad. When soon will he start working and begin to generate income? well, may be very soon if he gets a work larger than his mouth. A kind of work in which money made is greater than workdone? or resort to begging of arms from donors? Donors are not spendthrifts, come to your senses Oh boy! Behold technology and Industrialization are now being discovered like crude oil; hahahahaha- not even sci-fi movies had tried that except if the aliens return: awake and face reality young man God is not a magician, so don't tell me nonsense about miracles in that form.
Who will ask him how he got his wealth? or bring him to justice? Traditional Africa would have cursed him and sent him to the gods to judge, he would have been ostracized, his ordeal would have served a veritable source of social con
trol, other's actions would have been shaped by the prevailing social construct. Now, however, it is the society that sings his praise, they adore and worship a prosperous son who lavishes his wealth at them in the form money and wrapped handy food. A connection between poverty and laziness. Afterall, who doesn't want a child rich enough to feed his community during festivities?; he is a gift from the gods.Man is a product of his environment, his actions are value oriented (borrowing from Weber's social action theory). If a society places much emphasis on wealth rather than the means of acquiring wealth, individuals would aspire to be wealthy whatever the means. Corruption in Africa is a product of Africa's disoriented value system. We love, yet we hate it. as long as we benefit from the leakages in the economy, we want it to continue. We hate it because the consequences stare us in the face in the form of violence, insecurity, bad leadership, poor infrastructure, poverty and ultimately underdevelopment. Corruption is what we define to be so called. Corruption in Africa is not a mental state as it affects individuals, but a social state. it is right as long as the family says its right. if the religious institutions does not condemn it. if it is justified by the justice system so be it. Corruption is not only a product of instinct as I understand that men are born corrupt but innocent, but it is well nutured by the social nutrients which feeds it. Social accommodation. What will end this fellowship? check out the common enemy theory on this blog.
Comments
Post a Comment