Posted by Cindy on
September 3, 2009
What does one think of when considering corrupt leaders? The terror or the torture they inflict on their people? Or perhaps the evil way they appear when photographed for newspaper articles and filmed for the nightly news. Or maybe, as in the case for many years surrounding the Third Reich and the reign of Adolph Hitler, many may believe that it is impossible to stop them. The thing with political corruption and the leaders who act is such a way, is that by the standards of many, corruption and torture is immoral and unethical. Well, one idea to consider is the derivation of the word ethics as it is translated from the Greek language.
Love of wisdom, that is it. In keeping with the word’s roots, the International Dictionary of Cambridge states that the meaning of the word philosophy is that it is the practice of the use of reason, when one is attempting to understand such concepts as the nature of existence and reality. And then dealing with the limits, and enhancing the uses of that knowledge gained and applying it to the governing principles that influence and affect moral and ethical judgement.
When applied to the political arena one must take these definitions into the context of, the political arena. Or must they? Seriously, would any corrupt political leader be fine with being called unwise? Would Hitler have been fine with being accused a man lacking wisdom. For some reason, being accused of that, lacking wisdom has a greater affect on some people that accusing them of lacking heart or compassion. But by the definition, ethical behavior implies the action taken to do the right thing, to act with that compassion because not only is it right, it is wise.
Corruption is the misuse of power without regard to the effects and the consequences of that action. When leaders act in a corrupt fashion, it must be noted that they are not only lacking in responsibility, but they are acting without knowledge, in a manner that can only be referred to asinine, and, well stupid for lack of a better term. And what is so hard or scary about attempting to stop someone who is … stupid … and lacks wisdom and moral fiber?
Posted by Cindy on
August 3, 2009
Terrorism is defined as the systematic way in which terror is used as a means of control and coercion. The definitions of terrorism are varied and generally have come to refer to the acts that are committed for a goal of maintaining a certain ideal or ideology, usually based on political or religious beliefs. The complete disregard for the value of human life is one of the most horrific aspects of the criminal acts committed by terrorist cells active today. That is why the investigation and the destruction of the sources of terrorist financing are such important issues, to the world and to the safety of all those living within that world. The violence that is committed is just one of the criminal elements of terrorism. One that has in the past proved to be an ineffective way of attaining those goals that are set out to be accomplished. The attacks on the United States in 2001 did not serve to turn Americans nor the rest of the world against freedom and democracy, they only served to strengthen the resolve of protecting those values.
Terrorism is an element of human destruction that is highly charged, emotionally and politically. This aspect serves to further create difficulty when clearly defining the term. In 1988 the United States Army conducted a study which revealed at that time that more than one hundred definitions were attributed to the word terrorism. It is almost a certainty that modern times might produce an even larger number. The controversy also has an impact on the ways different countries and organizations attempt to define legitimate and legal actions, especially when concerned with the policies of a different culture or country. What one group sees as corruption is not necessarily in line with the definition and conditions found by another group. These definitions must be made clear, as the world must come together to end corruption and further acts of terrorism.
Posted by Cindy on
August 3, 2009
The advances made in the last few decades in the systems of communication and the technology of information has transformed the ways in which anti-money laundering and anti-corruption organizations conduct their investigations. Now it seems that there is always an escape route which provides criminals with the easy means of vanishing the transactions of money made illegally through the assistance of electronic and computerized transactions.
This is an area of the war against corruption which must be monitored constantly, as the businesses of the world’s more advanced and wealthy nations have an advantage over businesses in countries that have no access to this side of globalization. Globalization and the state of a country’s economy have often times been connected to the evidence found and the occurrence of corruption. Developed countries are proving to be those that are more involved in the laundering of money, of bribery and of corruption. Ironically, corruption and poverty generally go hand in hand, and the gap between the wealthy and the poor gets larger as time passes.
With this kind of link between corruption and developing nations the law enforcement agencies as well as the justice systems are also believed to be becoming more entrenched in corruption. The justice systems of the world must remain honest and with integrity in order to effectively tackle criminal activities, as during this era of the threat of terrorism throughout the globe. Bribery and the threat of other forms of corruption serve to threaten the backbone of democracy and can even encourage some in society and the government in criminal endeavors. Accountability and transparency must be enforced. The public must become aware of the processes and practices of the police departments and the justice systems in order for all the information to remain open and under the careful watch of the public as well as the anti-corruption agencies.