Government Corruptness in China - Essay Example

?Government Corruptness in China Introduction China’s corruption is a negative outcome of Mao’s regime. In order to discuss this phenomenon, it is very interesting to focus on its roots. Two famous Chinese thinkers Lao Zi and Zhuang Zi gave advice to the society about how to survive under cruel and unfriendly conditions. It is very hard to fight against corruption in the country with self-appointed leaders. Their work is performed by their advisors and thinkers. It is necessary to take Chinese leaders out of their thinking vacuum filled with Marxism into a global context. Another thinker George Zhibin Gu supposed that occurrence of corruption in Chinese government is possible and even predicted. Li was a cruel ruler, who forbade freedom of thoughts, reading some books, travelling and other insane communist methods (Glassman 1991, p. 32). From a social perspective, corruption in China may be referred to: “the low wages of civil servants, the many opportunities for corruption during the last two decades of Deng Xiaoping's modernization policy, and the lack of political will in implementing anticorruption measures against senior party officials” (Glassman 1991, p. 41). Unfortunately, no radical measures were taken to stop corruption in the country. The death penalty for bribery was not effective against senior party officials. Corruption in Communist China In 80s Chinese society considered bribery as "the most prevailing social crime" (Gu, 2010). A social turmoil caused by protests against corruption occurred in 1989 when students went to demonstration against it. Mass media in China has "dramatically increased the exposure of corruption cases to highlight the party's determination and efforts to repress corruptions" (Gong 1994, p. 54). Unfortunately, these actions were not effective and corruption remains one of the most negative phenomena in the Chinese society. Corruption is an unhealthy practice and there is a need to look for an efficient remedy for it. On the other hand, once political system of the country has started its work in a close coexistence with corruption, it means that it accepts it. Nevertheless, for Chinese society the Chinese Communist Party makes an attempt to purify its image and develops anticorruption strategies and rules. For example, it strengthens a production control; forbids any presents at work for officials; disciplinary penalties are applied for public offenders (Wei-Ming, 1996). The cases of corruption were mishandled in 1987 when the Central Discipline Inspection Commission (CDIC) and the Ministry of Supervision (MOS) were reestablished to curb corruption and maladministration (Wei-Ming, 1996). This happened in 1982. But 1987 numerous complaints were accumulated by these institutions, but they could not be dealt with because of a lack of political will. The Chinese government has decided to subject corrupted officials to death penalty in case they accept brines exceeding 100,000 Yuan, or US$ 12,000 (Gu, 2010). Explanation of corruption Therefore, it is relevant to develop a complex approach for dealing with corruption in China. In accordance with Huntington's theory on corruption, this phenomenon is positioned as a lack of a proper "political institutionalization"(Wei-Ming, 1996). In case institutionalization is present to the fullest extent, political processes are stable and applied procedures are valuable. Moreover, the researcher suggests that a possible reason of corruption may be bureaucracy dependency on other social groupings and act in accordance with bureaucratic methods of behavior. It should be noted that corruption may be caused by an external influence of officials caused by their families and relatives, because the primary goal of officials is not to act in favor of the government, but to act in favor of their families. It is possible to take into account other factors causing corruption: an improper adaptation of the government to the changing environment; deregulation of social activities and economic practices of the country; excessive discretion of officials’ delegations; the absence of coherence. “Over institutionalized” government is also an intimidating factor, which may lead to a lack of attention of officials to the public interests (Wei-Ming, 1996). The most exact explanation of corruption in China can be taken from the studies by LaPalombara. He made an emphasis on the following: “the occurrence of corruption tends to increase in direct proportion to the number of uninterrupted years the same political party remains in control of government” (Wei-Ming, 1996). A lack of democratic processes in China has caused a severe impact on the excessive presence of the Communist Party in the head of the government. Moreover, in accordance with Smith’s theory, a lack of public participation in a fight against corruption or in any other political activities intensifies a destroying function corruption may cause to the government: “The situation is further aggravated in a socialist society where power is over-concentrated and the domination of the state extends to almost every aspect of society. Whyte refers to this extension as "structural bureaucratization" (Zuzowski, 2005). There is an interesting equation provided by Klitgaard: Corruption = Monopoly + Discretion - Accountability (Zuzowski, 2005). In these terms the issue of preventive measures against corruption is provided further on. Reforming corruption Cultural reforms in China have shifted many accents. In order to adopt democratic practices and take part in a globalized world’s community, China must follow some instructions: it is relevant for the country to expand regulatory functions of the state; to deal with conflicts among anti-corruption agencies. Then, corruption in China will be considered from another perspective. The contemporaries consider corruption from their own point of view, but it is interesting to see the peculiarities of corruption at boiling point or during Communism in other words. A perfect illustration of those times was given by Ha Jin in the story “Saboteur”. The context of the story is very apt for our further discussion: the events happen after the Cultural Revolution, when members of the Communist Party made an emphasis on people’s equality. The main character of the story is a victim of unfavorable conditions. He got married, and then he was unfairly imprisoned and did not find any sympathy in jail. He was afraid of acute hepatitis, but guards in the jail were indifferent. Nevertheless, his illness was out of control and in the result of its expansion 8000 people suffered from it. The author shows to us that the Cultural Revolution has introduced some political changes, but public interests have been neglected. Therefore, it is relevant to develop political strategies directed on protection of a public interest in China and at the same time to make effective decisions against corruption. First it is possible to enforce laws and policies enactment in order to reduce bribes necessity. Secondly, it is important for entrepreneurs to take part in CCP activities (Zuzowski, 2005). In such a way, business opportunities or property rights will be protected and no bribes will be needed. Thirdly, salaries increase is necessary for the exclusion of bribes possibility. Promotion of anti-corruption organizations and their practices is a core issue for corruption prevention as well. Conclusion As far as we can see, corruption in China is a deeply rooted political and social phenomenon. Thus, in order to eradicate this negative outcome of Chinese politicians’ activities, it is relevant to deal with it at different levels. Social life improvement, taking into account public interests, a proper institutionalization of China’s government, involvement of democratic processes and many other measures must be taken in order to fight against corruption on China. Moreover, in case the Chinese society is more liberalized, the increase of social sanctions of corruption is guaranteed. Works cited 1. Glassman, Ronald M. China in Transition: Communism, Capitalism, and Democracy. New York: Praeger, 1991.  2. Gong, Ting. The Politics of Corruption in Contemporary China: An Analysis of Policy Outcomes. Westport, CT: Praeger Publishers, 1994.  3. Gu, Zhibin. Roots of China's Communist corruption: history, politics, management, and globalization. Web. June 13, 2010. August 04, 2011. 4. Wei-Ming, T. "Destructive Will and Ideological Holocaust: Maoism as a Source of Social Suffering in China." Daedalus 125.1 (1996): 149+.  5. Zuzowski, Robert. "Corruption in Post-communist Europe: Immorality Breeds Poverty."The Journal of Social, Political, and Economic Studies 30.1 (2005): 9+.  Read More