Corruption in Public Administration and Computer Scams: Understanding the Risks and Solutions
Corruption in Public Administration: Cultural and Economic Explanations
A) Cultural Factors
Cultural factors undoubtedly play a significant role in corruption. In many traditional societies, personal relationships are crucial for accessing resources, labor, support, and protection. We can distinguish four types of allegiances typical in human cultures:
- Family: In traditional societies where trust is limited to the family unit, loyalty and reliance on family connections can lead to favoritism and corruption.
- Patron-Client: This system, common in societies with weak governance, involves a powerful figure (patron) providing support and protection to a circle of individuals (clients) in exchange for allegiance and favors. This can create an environment where corruption thrives.
- Political Leadership: A more modern form of patronage, where loyalty is given to a political machine rather than an individual. Supporters provide votes in exchange for benefits like subsidies, public employment, or housing.
- Civic Culture: In this system, citizens hold officials and politicians accountable. They have diverse interests and can shift their political loyalties, leading to greater transparency and reduced corruption.
Slower, more secretive governance systems often rely on intermediaries, increasing the likelihood of corruption. Favoritism, the exchange of personal favors, is a common form of corruption. The level of corruption in a society depends on the balance between traditional allegiances and a modern civic culture.
B) Economics of Corruption
Underdeveloped countries often experience higher levels of corruption than developed countries. Financial instability within the state can lead to public officials seeking additional income through corrupt practices. Factors such as low salaries, inadequate pensions, and job insecurity can contribute to this behavior.
A simple economic model explains a public official’s decision to engage in corruption based on the potential gains from bribes, the probability of detection, and the severity of punishment if caught. This aligns with criminological concepts of crime as a choice.
The Computer Scam
In commercial transactions and online banking, brokers typically verify the identity of the parties involved. However, the anonymity of the internet creates opportunities for abuse, scams, and theft.
Identifying Internet Users
Identifying individuals behind websites or email addresses often requires complex and time-consuming investigations. By the time the source is located, the perpetrator may be long gone.
Security Measures
Several security measures can be implemented to enhance online safety:
- IP Tracking: Identifying the internet protocol address of users.
- Public/Private Keys: Using encryption keys to verify user identities.
- Communication Encryption: Protecting data transmitted online.
- Private Security Services: Paid services offering enhanced security features.
However, many internet users value anonymity. The introduction of cameras in mobile phones and computers may eventually add a layer of visual identification to online interactions.
The Future of Internet Security
Experts suggest incorporating encryption techniques directly into processors, implementing user certification and identification systems, and developing methods to reject uncertified documents. These measures could significantly improve online security for various transactions.
Conclusions
Currently, prominent internet offenses involve child pornography, incitement to racism, or violence. However, financially motivated crimes like theft and fraud are expected to rise due to increasing computer literacy and persistent security vulnerabilities.
Improving internet security is crucial to combat these emerging threats and ensure a safer online environment for everyone.