Corruption can be caused by several factors, including a lack of ethical values and a need for power. While it is impossible to prevent corruption completely, measures can be taken to reduce the risk of public administrators becoming corrupt. These measures include improving transparency and internal controls, increasing the penalties for corrupt behavior, and educating on the dangers of corruption. This essay will discuss the causes of public administrators becoming corrupt and how to prevent it.
There are many reasons why public administrators may become corrupt. Some of the most common causes include Greed: Public administrators may become corrupt due to greed. They may accept bribes or kickbacks in exchange for awarding contracts to particular businesses or individuals. They may also embezzle public funds for their gain. Power: Public administrators may abuse their ability to benefit themselves or their friends and family. For example, they may give preferential treatment to specific individuals or companies. Corruption in the System: Public administrators may become corrupt because the system is corrupt. For example, their superiors may pressure them to award contracts to specific businesses or individuals.
There are several ways to prevent corruption in public administration. First, administrators should be selected based on their qualifications and character rather than their political connections or financial resources (De Graaf, 2019). Second, administrators should be held accountable for their actions through mechanisms such as independent audits or investigations. Third, organizations should establish clear rules and regulations regarding conflicts of interest, gifts, and other potential sources of corruption. Finally, the public should be educated about the risks of corruption and the importance of reporting any suspected wrongdoing.
In a nutshell, public administrators may become corrupt due to greed, power, and corruption in the system. They may accept bribes or kickbacks in exchange for awarding contracts or embezzling public funds. A lack of oversight from higher authorities and personal grudges could also corrupt administrators. There are many ways to prevent corruption in public administration. Public administrators should be held accountable for their actions and be subject to disciplinary action if they engage in corrupt activities. Establishing solid ethical standards and opening public administration activities to scrutiny are two essential steps.
References
Graycar, A. (2020). Corruption and public administration. In Handbook on corruption, ethics, and integrity in public administration (pp. 1–8). Edward Elgar Publishing.
De Graaf, G. (2019). Causes of corruption: Towards a contextual theory of corruption. Public Administration Quarterly, p. 39-86. Web.
de Mingo, A. C., & Cerrillo-i-Martínez, A. (2018). Improving records management to promote transparency and prevent corruption. International Journal of Information Management, 38(1), 256–261. Web.