Corruption isn’t exclusive to politicians and businesses: ordinary citizens can also fall prey to it. However, we can also combat it by incorporating habits into our daily lives.
Corruption is the abuse of entrusted power for personal gain. Various studies estimate that it costs Mexico between 2 and 10% of its Gross Domestic Product.
This practice is not limited to alleged misappropriation of resources by politicians, the creation of shell companies, or bribes paid by large corporations; ordinary citizens can also bear responsibility.
For example, while 51% of Mexicans agreed to give a bribe in areas such as services, health, and education, in Argentina and Chile the figure was 16% and 22%, respectively, according to Transparency International’s 2017 Global Corruption Barometer .
“Citizen corruption occurs in very common cases, such as traffic violations and bribes to obtain construction permits or licenses. But it also occurs in other areas where the benefits are greater, such as government contracts and bidding processes,” says Luis Pérez de Acha, commissioner of the National Anti-Corruption System.
To do?
To stop the vicious cycle of corruption, citizens can follow some basic advice:
1. Demand our rights
The first step is to understand the types of corruption that exist. There isn’t just one, but multiple forms, ranging from bribing the police to money laundering .
“There’s no way the country will change if we believe that corruption is only about whether or not a police officer is bribed. For many citizens, it seems like it’s the only act of corruption, and they think, ‘If I don’t give him money, then nothing will happen,'” said Max Kaiser, director of anti-corruption at the Mexican Institute for Competitiveness (IMCO).
Corruption generates direct and indirect monetary costs for society. Direct costs include the money that citizens and businesses allocate to bribe individuals to expedite, approve, or avoid procedures, payments, applications, or inspections.
The indirect effects range from a decrease in foreign investment, greater inequality in the distribution of resources , and an erosion of legitimacy and trust in institutions.
The average cost of an act of corruption was 2,799 pesos per adult victim of corruption in 2015, while per company victim of corruption it was 12,243 pesos in 2016, according to INEGI.
“The average citizen’s hands are often tied, and at other times they have some leeway to avoid or encourage corruption . (…) We must know our rights. When we are stopped on the street and threatened with having our car impounded, that is often prohibited,” said Pérez de Acha.
Additionally, when there is a greater perception of corruption in the administration of justice (MP and judicial police), there is a greater reception of complaints by the National Human Rights Commission .
2. Say NO
It’s not enough to simply understand the types of corruption; citizens must also learn to reject these acts.
“It’s very easy to point out the corruption of the political class and big business, but it’s less easy to learn to say no. Although it may be risky, saying no is the only way to avoid being part of the problem,” Kaiser said.
” We must not facilitate these kinds of actions ; we must resist them, because otherwise, we will only achieve short-term solutions and tear down whatever remains of the state structures,” Pérez de Acha commented.
3. Report
Mexico ranked 66th out of 69 countries on the 2017 Global Impunity Index , making it the fourth most unpunished nation. This reflects the low level of public trust in reporting mechanisms.
However, experts agree that citizens should take the risk of reporting .
“We must have the civic courage to denounce those public servants who attempt to carry out their work through corruption. If we don’t report it, there will never be enough cases in the bodies that resolve, investigate, and sanction, and they will be able to continue saying ‘ nothing happened here,’ ” Kaiser said.
He added that if citizens believe there may be any risk in filing a complaint, such as retaliation by a public servant or company, they can seek alternatives such as anonymous reporting , contacting the media, and other avenues.
4. Get organized
To avoid being the only ones trying to pressure authorities in a corruption case, citizens must organize themselves to multiply their strength.
“Sometimes, it’s difficult to be the only one who says no, who wants to change the way things are done in a sector, issue, or community,” said Kaiser, who added that it’s also important to participate in political discussions in this electoral context to learn about the solutions candidates are offering to combat corruption…
Taken from Alto Nivel (2018). 4 habits for you and me to fight corruption every day. Available at https://www.altonivel.com.mx/actualidad/mexico/habitos-para-combatir-la-corrupcion/
