These are words which are not to be taken lightly, as they
affect our lives in so many ways. The former occupies a large portion of our
current public debate and concern. These words however do not carry the same
meaning to everyone. Let me start with the word Corruption. It is a loosely
defined word and used in different contexts. I wish to borrow from Wikipedia
which begins to explain Corruption in the following manner:
“In philosophical, theological, or moral
discussions, corruption is spiritual
or moral impurity or deviation from an ideal. In economy, corruption is payment
for services or material which the recipient is not due, under law. This may be
called bribery, kickback…”
The ongoing public
debate and concern is focused on the latter part of this definition, relating
to economic corruption. When there is an exchange of favours between parties,
not sanctioned by law, there is a case of Bribe or Corruption. However, in a
large number of instances, citizens are not seeking favours from Government
agencies, but trying to avail what truly is their right as a citizen. When the
monopoly of discretionary power and denial of rights through delaying tactics,
is used to force people to part with their resources or wealth,
perhaps it is an error to call such a transaction as a Bribe. A more plain and
accurate way of calling such a transaction under duress is “Extortion Money”.
The new class of highway robbers may not threaten to take your life for what is
truly yours, but they surely do threaten to take away a part of your lifetime,
through delays and harassments, for getting their pound of flesh (money). Such
money given under duress or extortion cannot surely be equated with Corruption.
However, the general use of the word
Corruption to even cases of Extortion, has had a profound impact on our ability
to respond to all prevailing extortion. Rather than filling the victims of
extortion with rage, it fills the victims with a sense of guilt as though
involved in a corrupt transaction. It shames us for no reason and
incapacitates our ability to respond to extortion in an effective manner.
Moreover, by calling an act of extortion
as corruption, we are sanctifying the extortionist by reducing and transferring
part of the guilt to the victim of extortion. Let us not sanctify Extortion by
calling it Corruption. There is the element of violence in
Extortion. Let us raise our voice
and call for help.
There is a case for us to use this vocabulary with greater
care. An attempt to summarise these words is presented here:
1. Giving under duress,
in violation of personal rights, is Extortion.
It is a Win-Loss transaction, where the Extortionist benefits and the victim,
the giver suffers and loses. Most of common citizens encounter these
situations.
2. Giving for mutual
benefit, a bribe, in violation of laws, is Corruption.
It is a Win-Win- Loss transaction where both the Giver and the Taker benefit
and the larger society losses. Very few citizens engage in such transactions. However,
the majority of citizens suffer indirect losses on account of such
transactions.
Words carry meaning and movements at times. When they carry
the burden of movements, they should be chosen and used with care. There is a
need to create space for discussion on “Freedom from Extortion” as much as “Freedom
from Corruption”. Corruption affects
very few people directly and therefore does not draw sustained action from
common people. Extortion hopefully will, by calling it so.
