The Functionality of Corruption
Corruption is a dirty word. All over the world people want to fight corruption because they feel it is unfair, unethical, and destructive. And it is. I find however that the solution given, persecution, to be ineffective . I would like to present a new perspective that in SOME CASES, corruption fulfills a needed function; if you eliminate it completely, the side effects may be worse. It should be eradicated differently than through the penalty system. Penalties are at best a band aid. In the Hebrew language there is an expression (I don’t know the source of it): a hole in the fence invites the thief. In other words, some people are weak in character. If there is something a person might cherish or want that they can get by exploiting the opportunity the hole offers, those of weak character will be tempted to get in and follow up on their temptation.