The Issue Of Political Corruption In The White Tiger

Corruption is inevitable and is constantly spreading around third world countries at a rapid rate. Even with the many organizations trying to contain and end corruption, it is not likely that corruption in India can be stopped. Reason being is the poor can not receive public services without bribes, the leaders in government are corrupt trying to get richer, and the rich will do whatever it takes to put more money in their pockets.

Some contend that corruption can be stopped with all the organizations in place. “Speaking to TOI, Ilham Mohamed, regional coordinator, South Asia and Mongolia” it is evident that many changes need to be made, “At the state level, anti-corruption policies must be focused on catering to the poor” she also adds that “India needs to urgently align its foreign bribery laws with its UNCAC (United Nations Convention Against Corruption) obligations. TOI also recommends that a “national procurement law that incorporates best practices” will “Substantially reduce fraud in public contracting which will in turn affect the quality of public service delivery.” This could all be made possible by the support of the people for Kejriwal a “little-known tax inspector-turned-activist just three years ago” who now advocates for “His newly formed Aam Aadmi (common man) party” and gets the poors support by “Exposing India's rich and powerful.” With Kejriwal in charge and the recommended changes by Ilham Mohamed made many believe that it is feasible to end corruption.

However, in third world countries it can be near impossible for the poor to survive without public services they are not provided. The only way the poor can access these services are to pay bribes. Although, most bribes are made by the poor there are also several made by the rich. “TOI concentrated on bribes paid for producing six key public services: public schools, public hospitals, official documents, public utility services, the police and courts.” It is estimated that “38% of the poorest people surveyed said they paid a bribe either for access to a service or for quicker delivery.” With the poor being forced to bribe just for basic services that all humans should have there is likely to be no chance of ending corruption. They cannot gain any money from benefits as Saroj Bhalla states “has been trying to get officials to sign her husband's death certificate so that she can claim a widows pension. She cannot afford the bribe. Nor can Bahalla afford to pay for the ration card that is supposedly free to all those living under the official poverty line.” The poor are most exposed to conditions where they require these services, but without making much money they must use whatever they have to get access to these services. The White Tiger illustrates the lack of these public services. Balram's father had been ill “But there is no hospital in Laxmangarh” Balram’s father started spitting blood and they tried to clean it off with water from the river. Unfortunately “The water was so polluted that it made him spit more blood.” This is an example of the basic human needs that are not provided for the poor in third world countries without paying a bribe. The poor don’t have the supplies or money to take care of themselves and the hospitals they must go to have “The stench of goat feces” and “The glass in most of the windows were broken.” The conditions in the hospital are those that no human would want to experience. Along with this “There was no doctor in the hospital” the small bribes that the poor can get are no guarantee to get service. “The ward boy, after we bribed him 10 rupees, said that a doctor might come in the evening.” Many cannot receive service even with the bribes they give. Without bribes there is almost no survival for the poor “Two little girls came and sat down behind us; both of them had yellow eyes” they screamed at each other “You gave it to me. And now we’ll both die.” The poor cannot access any public services without bribes are there is no guarantee even if they do bribe.

The political leaders are full of empty promises making themselves richer and helping the elite class. The White Tiger shows the empty promises of political leaders first hand when Balram’s dad gets sick and they are looking for a hospital. “There is no hospital in Laxmangarh although there are three different foundation stones for a hospital, laid by three different politicians before three different elections.” The leaders have taken the money for themselves instead of benefitting India as a whole. After both Mongoose and Balrum kill a child they are let off by the police due to their social status. “The police have let me off. That is the way of the jungle we live in” Balram said. This illustrates the way government parties do business when the rich commit a crime, but if the poor do the same thing they are likely to be thrown in jail.

Furthermore, corruption in politics does not end with lower power government organizations, but in the main government. Many leaders like to take advantage of the uneducated poor by “(giving) an inflated telephone bill and then having your connection cut after requesting an itemized breakdown” meaning the government is trying to get more money for themselves. The political leaders have ill gotten wealth and criminal backgrounds. “Even in New Delhi, where politicians are under close scrutiny from the national media, an estimated 20 percent of members of parliament have a criminal past” illustrating that the leaders of India are corrupt and have cheated there way to their positions. This allows the leaders to get away with everything due to their social power they hold. The political leaders are stealing money that is supposed to go towards improving India but, “Recent estimates say that less than a third of development money from New Delhi gets anywhere near its intended beneficiaries” The rich are getting richer while the poor are getting poorer. “The beneficiaries of public spending because they never have been. It is much better the money goes into the pockets of their own leaders” says a senior servant in Lucknow, capital of Uttar Pradesh. These actions are what has been and will continue driving the social divide in India further apart. The corruption goes far deeper in the government “According to one senior government official, corruption often dictates which policies governments adopt and which they discard” the leaders are playing the game for themselves and not the majority.

The corruption of the political leaders that are attempting to get richer by passing laws and taking actions that only benefit themselves is just a couple of the reasons why corruption will never end in India. The current state of Corruption in India is so far spread and invasive that there is no way to get rid of it. With all the activist groups preaching for change, there has still been no improvements. All the politicians they target to make changes in legislation do not take action because they themselves are corrupt. So are these groups really just a lost cause, fighting an unwinnable battle against what now makes up the foundation of India?