Business bribery

Nature

Although bribes and influence peddling have always been part of the international and local business scenes for thousands of years, sophisticated business cheating is on the increase. It is not only the criminal elements involved in bribery but well-placed individuals, high government officials and reputable corporations. It is a global problem caused by greed. Relegation of religious and ethical values to the background, the desire for material wealth and glorification of unethical practices through the media have all made their contributions. Profit has become an end in itself. Public relation campaigns with their business junkets, gifts to potential buyers or legislators, donations to political parties have turned grey and debatable ethical considerations. Ethical judgements are nearly impossible. A history of bribery and influence peddling during the colonial period or the purposes of maintaining power and profiteering eroded the ethics of both the colonial power and the colony. Object poverty set in the daily context on the media of wealth and power further erode ethical standards.

Incidence

According to the 2023 Transparency International Global Corruption Barometer, 27% of businesspeople worldwide reported paying a bribe in the past year to secure contracts or expedite services. The problem is particularly acute in regions such as Sub-Saharan Africa and parts of Asia, where weak regulatory frameworks and limited enforcement contribute to higher rates of business bribery.
In 2018, the Brazilian construction giant Odebrecht admitted to paying approximately $788 million in bribes across 12 countries, including Brazil, Peru, and Angola, to secure public works contracts. This scandal led to numerous arrests and political upheaval throughout Latin America.

Claim

Business bribery is a pervasive and insidious problem that undermines ethical standards, distorts fair competition, and erodes public trust in institutions. It perpetuates inequality, stifles innovation, and diverts resources from essential services. The normalization of bribery creates a toxic environment where integrity is sacrificed for profit, ultimately harming society as a whole. We must confront this issue head-on, advocating for transparency and accountability to foster a fair and just business landscape for everyone.

Counter-claim

Business bribery is often overstated as a significant issue. In reality, it represents a small fraction of overall business practices and can be seen as a necessary evil in navigating complex regulatory environments. Many companies thrive without engaging in bribery, demonstrating that ethical practices can prevail. Focusing on bribery distracts from more pressing economic challenges, such as innovation and competition. Let’s prioritize genuine business growth over sensationalizing isolated incidents of misconduct.