THE MOST- AND LEAST-CORRUPT COUNTRIES IN THE WORLD

THE 10 MOST AND LEAST CORRUPT
COUNTRIES IN THE WORLD: REPORT

www.washingtonpost.com - Corruption can often be hard to track, so each year, one watchdog group puts all of the bribery, back-room deals and other nefarious practices going on in the world on one technicolor map. Transparency International just released its annual Corruption Perceptions Index on the perceived level of public sector corruption in 176 countries around the world, and once again, Somalia, North Korea and Afghanistan rank as most corrupt, with scores of 8. (Burma, also known as Myanmar, joined them last year but has since moved up two spots, to just ahead of Sudan). 
The ranking is based on a number of surveys that seek to gauge hard-to-find metrics like bribes paid to government officials or transparency in corporate reporting. Denmark, New Zealand and Finland are tied for least corrupt this year, and they were also the top three last year. The United States is 19th. 

- Egypt dropped to 118 from 112, perhaps because President Mohammed Morsi’s new government still shows signs of the previous regime’s authoritarianism. - Although Finland ranks near the top, Transparency International Finland chair Erkki Laukkanen points out that even it’s not free of shady dealings among government and corporate officials.
- Two-thirds of Latin American countries fell below the middle of the rankings. The dramatic income inequality, drug violence and weak democratic governance there all add up to extreme cases of corruption. Guatemala has a record 98 per cent impunity rate, showing a dramatic lack of justice in the country. In Mexico, seven journalists have beenmurdered up to mid-November in this year alone for doing their job. - Afghanistan ranks as one of the most corrupt countries, and it seems bribes and fraud permeate nearly every level of life there. One Afghan in seven paid a bribe in 2010, and the average bribe is equal to one third of the average Afghan salary.

We know corruption is a problem around the world and it can happen anywhere. Corruption is not just an envelope filled with money, though - some people make decisions that affect our lives. For example, when politicians put their own interests above those of the public or when officials demand money and favours from citizens for services that should be free. The Corruption Perceptions Index measures the perceived levels of public sector corruption in countries worldwide. Scandinavian nations like Denmark and Finland were ranked as the least corrupt, while countries like Somalia, North Korea, Afghanistan, Haiti and Venezuela, among others, were labeled as the most corrupt. When rulers begin to behave unjustly, corruption spreads unabated, people become unhappy and social unrest increases.

WHAT DO THE VEDIC TEACHINGS TELL US? 

In the Vedic system, a king is called a Raja. This means one who shines. But it also means one who rids his subjects of obstacles. This indicates that only one who ideally considers the welfare of his subjects should be a king or ruler. If the ideal king follows the laws of Dharma, then the people will also follow. (Mahabharata 12.75.4) This also means that if the king is unrighteous, he will have little ability to lead people and keep them from crime and dishonesty. They will follow his own character. Thus, as rulers become more and more crooked, the same character will naturally trickle down to the general populace. This illustrates why corruption is so rampant today. The only way to escape from this situation is to have moralistic and righteous leaders, if there are any who can be found.

Stephen Knapp (Śrīpad Nandanandana dasa) :
“Purpose and Function of Government
According to Mahabharata”
“Who Can Rule the Country?”
http://www.stephen-knapp.com  -  http://www.stephenknapp.info/
http://www.stephen-knapp.com/purpose_of_government_according_to_mahabharata.htm

Published by dasavatara das - "Vedic Views on World News"
http://www.vedicviews-worldnews.blogspot.com.ar/