Unit 2 Critical Analysis
Corruption and Culture
Colleen Garland
CJ340: Applied Criminal Justice Ethics
Kaplan University
10/27/2014
Abstract
This paper will share my viewpoint of how corruption is viewed in today’s cultures, and why it is such a controversial topic. I will also look at how corruption is viewed as a cultural tradition and how unethical people may take advantage of a gift-giving culture to further a society’s corruption.
Corruption and Culture
For this paper I will define corruption as the act of abusing one’s position and power in order to gain personal benefit for oneself or for someone else (Black’s Law Dictionary, 2014). All the research that I have done has yet to provide me with any proof as to the benefits of a corrupt society and that any culture willingly accepts corruption as a norm. I have not found any proof that gift giving in traditional cultures is similar in any way to corrupt practices. In short, there is a difference between gift giving and bribery.
My Viewpoint on the Debate
In the debate on corruption, I was asked to look at a claim that stated corruption was not looked at negatively in some cultures and that some forms of bribery and corruption are necessary in order for some societies to survive. There are some cultures where gift giving is a tradition that has been passed down through centuries and generations (Laurenson, 2012). These cultures use small gifts to help in negotiations and building and maintaining positive relationships with other cultures. Common sense dictates that one person’s professional or personal betterment does not keep a society thriving. For example, a politician who accepts bribes and makes shady back-door deals, is not helping his state or country, but himself and padding his own wallet. Therefore the only part of the claim that I can agree with is that there are societies who use gift giving as a form of etiquette.
Is Corruption a Part of Cultural Tradition?
Cultural tradition can be defined as a set of beliefs,
Colleen Garland
CJ340: Applied Criminal Justice Ethics
Kaplan University
10/27/2014
Abstract
This paper will share my viewpoint of how corruption is viewed in today’s cultures, and why it is such a controversial topic. I will also look at how corruption is viewed as a cultural tradition and how unethical people may take advantage of a gift-giving culture to further a society’s corruption.
Corruption and Culture
For this paper I will define corruption as the act of abusing one’s position and power in order to gain personal benefit for oneself or for someone else (Black’s Law Dictionary, 2014). All the research that I have done has yet to provide me with any proof as to the benefits of a corrupt society and that any culture willingly accepts corruption as a norm. I have not found any proof that gift giving in traditional cultures is similar in any way to corrupt practices. In short, there is a difference between gift giving and bribery.
My Viewpoint on the Debate
In the debate on corruption, I was asked to look at a claim that stated corruption was not looked at negatively in some cultures and that some forms of bribery and corruption are necessary in order for some societies to survive. There are some cultures where gift giving is a tradition that has been passed down through centuries and generations (Laurenson, 2012). These cultures use small gifts to help in negotiations and building and maintaining positive relationships with other cultures. Common sense dictates that one person’s professional or personal betterment does not keep a society thriving. For example, a politician who accepts bribes and makes shady back-door deals, is not helping his state or country, but himself and padding his own wallet. Therefore the only part of the claim that I can agree with is that there are societies who use gift giving as a form of etiquette.
Is Corruption a Part of Cultural Tradition?
Cultural tradition can be defined as a set of beliefs,
References: Cultural tradition. (2014). Merriam-Webster. Retrieved from http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tradition Laurenson, J. (2012, December 20). This House believes that bribery is sometimes acceptable. idebate.org. Retrieved from http://idebate.org/debatabase/debates/politics/house-believes-bribery-sometimes-acceptable Myint, U. (2000). CORRUPTION: CAUSES, CONSEQUENCES AND CURES. Asia-Pacific Development Journal, 7(2), 33-58. Transparency International, Frequently asked questions about corruption, http://www.transparency.org/news_room/faq/corruption_faq What is CORRUPTION? (n.d.). The Law Dictionary. Retrieved from http://thelawdictionary.org/corruption/