You have an impact, but its not visible in the short run…

Most often we forget to realize the impact that we can make as an individual to build up a system that works with integrity.   We always look at the short-term impact and decide that it is difficult to change the system single-handedly.  When the underlying system is so corrupt, people often consider bribes and corruption as part of the system.  Things can improve dramatically when people are educated more on the way they can affect the integrity of the system.  In India, it used to be very difficult, in the past, to get a driver’s license or a phone connection without bribing the public official.   Things have now improved considerably as people have realized that, with little patience, the system would continue to work even without bribing these people.  With more informative movements and educational clips through media, we are on the verge of having a corruption-free system.

It is also sometimes argued that one has no right to engage in another country’s  corruption because you will not be there to live with the consequences.  I am always confused regarding such arguments.  We know that the consequences of corruption is bad for all.  One would think that if you are not going to experience the consequence, it is fine to engage in a corruptive act.  I believe that the resistence should come from local citizens because they are the ones who are going to live with the consequences.  There is no righteousness, whether you are a foreign or a local citizen, when it comes to a corruptive act.