Introduction
Corruption has existed in many civilizations throughout history. However, the phenomenon has been increasing in recent years at a very concerning rate. The practice is now severe and widespread, causing global economic issues. Governments and ethical institutions need to explore the matter and find mitigation measures before it gets off hand. Corruption in businesses occurs in many forms, such as illegal businesses, taking bribes, monopolizing markets and forceful coercion in business transactions. Most African countries are democratic, yet, this democracy is a tool of oppression towards citizens socially and economically. This essay explores some democratically suppressed factors contributing to the emergence and spread of corruption in Africa’s developing countries.
Neo-Patrimonialism
A significant contributor to corruption in Africa is neo-patrimonialism. The term refers to historical power connections that govern leadership and the spread of resources in a particular country or organization. The regime was formed as a unifying factor for the development of African countries. However, they became a source of individualism, monopoly and power controls affecting the economies and business clientele. Neo-patrimonialism affects policymaking, state budgets, distributions of funds, foreign aid and developmental projects (Masenya, 2017). The colonial powers have legal codes that influence the countries politics, leadership, business contracts and economy. According to Masenya (2017), British colonies have a higher rate of corruption than other countries, which hinders the countries from transforming into independent economies in import and export trade. British bureaucrats believe that former colonies with better civil service owe them for providing the conditions for a better society thus have a right to some power governing the countries.
Apart from the former colonial power’s influence, powerful ethnic societies also practice individualism and nepotism in businesses. Historical communities have deep roots in politics and leadership, which governs the countries’ economies. A case study in Kenya investigating the primary cause of corruption indicated that powerful historical families practice nepotism and monopoly in all major industries and state corporations (Masenya, 2017). Thus, small business ventures that lack power cannot compete in the same businesses leading to a monopolistic economy.
Institutional Suppression
Legal institutions lack proper governing rules for anti-corruption offences. Laws responsible for promoting ethics should have severe prosecution punishments on corruption offenders to curb the practice. However, sub-Saharan legal systems are controlled by political and influential powers that control their freedom to practice justice and ethical rules (Masenya, 2017). Lack of professional ethics in legal and political areas hinder transparency, which contributes to widespread corruption cases. Media institutions also lack the freedom to expose corruption cases in government operations and nepotism due to suppressing their right to information and revealing illegal activities. Media institutions and the press are the whistleblowers against corruption. However, sub-Saharan countries do not have definite or clear guidelines that govern and protect the press. Therefore, the government suppresses its democracy and freedom to expose illegal activities and corruption, leading to the spread of unethical practices.
Economic Instability
Governments with poor economies require higher rents to transact imports and exports to other countries. The most affected economies have monopolistic businesses that control domestic markets and import and export through bribes. Due to poor economies, small and medium businesses offer lower rents in taxation and customs (Masenya, 2017). As a result, government and customs officials prefer bribes from powerful and monopolistic firms because they provide better profits than legal businesses.
Conclusion
Corruption is the leading cause of underdevelopment and challenging economic conditions in Africa’s developing countries. Significant factors that influence unethical business transactions are neo-patrimonialism, deep-rooted powerful families, corrupt legal institutions and lack of media freedom to expose corrupt cases. Colonial powers still influence the political and economic development of countries that were under their authority. Historical families take advantage of their capacity to form monopolies and nepotism in business transactions. Finally, legal and media institutions lack the freedom to practice justice and expose corruption.
Reference
Masenya, M. J. (2017). Neo-patrimonialism, corruption, and governance in South Africa.African Journal of Public Affairs, 9(9), 146-156.