Politics & Corruption: Here’s how to “fix the system”
Or more accurately, how to begin fixing the system.
Some of you may have read my recent comments (here and here) in which I mentioned about writing a post on corruption. Two days ago, in an amazing coincidence, I received an email from Sanjeev on this very issue.
In the email, Sanjeev wrote,
“…my only concern would be that the initiatives cited (eg. the zero value rupee, 15% commission to Ghaziabad municipality, etc.) are likely to be cosmetic and unsustainable.
India needs systematic reforms of its governance, of the sort covered in my book. That is, in my view, the only long term solution.
My recent TOI article (on reforming the bureaucracy) is part of the attack we need to launch against corruption. Here are the responses I received….If you’d like to, I particularly recommend a relatively short chapter 5 entitled, “An analysis of political corruption in India“.
I read the chapter yesterday and I was stunned by the clarity of Sanjeev’s arguments and his insightful analysis.
Sanjeev’s basic contention is “socialist policies have created the opportunities for corruption in India, and our flawed electoral system design (which forces 99% of our candidates to get huge amounts of black money and to liaise with the mafia while contesting elections) creates the incentives for corruption. Governance reforms are therefore needed at both levels - to reduce opportunities, and to eliminate the incentives”
If you think of yourself as a concerned citizen of India - or someone who loves India and wishes it well, please do read it IN FULL - Chapter 5 An analysis of political corruption in India.
But for those of you pressed for time, below is a summary of the chapter, including Sanjiv’s diagnosis�and his suggestions for reform.
No doubt I have lost a lot of flavour and punch in condensing an 18-pg document in a few bullet points; Hence the request to everyone to read the article full.
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The Situation Today aka The Rot in the System
- Our society and political system has failed to throw up outstanding leaders of stature, intellect and probity
- Whatever else we may be today, we are definitely not a role model for anyone in the world on ethical standards
- The kind of people our system attracts are power- and money-hungry individuals “who are not reflective on their use of power, unaware of the concept of freedom, and unwilling to listen to expert policy advice or innovations designed to create a great India. “
- We therefore experience a depressingly corrupt and ineffective democracy in India where the qualifications for being given a ‘ticket’ to contest elections are: possession of a modest intellect, capped with serious moral defects, and�(a) the ability to play fast and loose with public money, (b) close association with genuine, mafia-type criminals and (c) ability to threaten honest candidates to prevent them from contesting elections.
leaders - Unless we “build systems that will attract some of our best people to run for government…we are destined to perpetual mediocrity; perhaps much worse. “
The root of the current malaise is: “There are also so many compulsions for dishonesty built into our electoral system that good people simply aren’t interested in representing us.”
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The Barrriers and Compulsions that prevent good people from joining Politics
- There is no reason to be honest
- On the contrary it “hurts” to be honest; The system makes it financially punitive to do so and keeps prudent people out of the process (unless they are willing to compromise their integrity and honesty)
- The low salaries (Rs 12k per month for an MP) keep the competent away from participating in the process
The underlying issues are:
a] the artificial (and ridiculously low) limit on electoral spending (Rs 25 Lakhs)
b] the routine violation of this limit
c] the lack of accountability and consequences of such a violation
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The Remedies
- Raise the wages of MPs and MLAs, at least by a factor of ten; probably more, while getting rid of all of their ‘perks’.
- Ensure state funding for elections
- Dismantle election expense limits (that are routinely breached); instead have very strong audit systems with severe penalties for violations
- Initiate a wider set of reforms of the electoral system e.g. making public the property returns of our representatives
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For those of you who wish to read more, the entire book is available for download (for free) on Sanjeev’s website.
I would encourage you to do that…but above all, I would humbly request everyone reading this to drop a short note to Sanjeev (or leave a comment here) appreciating his work and effort.
Sanjeev: I hope this generates some discussion and thought. As you said, this needs wider publicity and wider discussion. Unless we all agree on the “need” for reform, change will be hard to come by.
Sharon and Pragya: I hope this triggers some thought and you find the time to read Sanjeev’s chapter in full.
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Related Posts:
Do we deserve the politicians we get?
How to earn Rs 50 crores in 5 years
End big-time corruption? I dont think so
Corruption in Public Life: Are we the only ones?
BPD, BM, LP: Light at the end of the tunnel?
