I spoke to an undergraduate from China, who is aware of the social and political issues. He told me that the top leaders in China are generally honest, but there is rampant corruption at the lower levels.
I gave an optimistic prediction. Given time, China will be able to eradicate the corrupt practices, although the task may be daunting. The situation is worse in other countries where the top leaders are greedy for personal wealth and top salaries. They will lose the moral authority to require people at lower levels to behave and act honestly.
I understand that in PRC, corporate and indirect corruption against the state carry imprisonment sentences of more than 10 years, and PRC prisons are no joke, nothing like Changi, more like Gulag. Direct corruption against the state carries death penalty by firing squad.
ReplyDeleteSuch harsh laws have deterrent effects but a backlash too. People involved in any corruption ring won't dare sell out each other because all may go prison or die. Outside the ring, there're few whistle blowers too as whistle blowing carries the risk of death too. Faced with such harsh laws, the guilty party won't hesitate to murder the whistle blower as they're facing death anyway.
Corruption cases are usually exposed by some people with direct connection to powerfully high ranking officials beyond common threats, the untouchables.