We are presently on our second OIL BOOM and history is repeating itself.
Just as the first oil boom left us with little to show for it, so will this one. Why?
We have FIRST WORLD resources, FIRST WORLD income, but THIRD WORLD thinking.
What do I mean?
Tolerance for corruption.
Dey could tief as long as ah get my share!
Tolerance for nepotism.
So what if he appoint he wife ah minister?
Tolerance for failing systems.
My police pardnah will take care of everyting!
I know de judge!
what is the harm in this?
the hallmark of a developed country is not the tall buildings, it is the fact that SYSTEMS WORK!
So if you have a problem you go to the police, you call the fire department or an ambulance and they come!
You take a large multinational to court and despite their deep pockets and expensive lawyers, you can still win your
case!
You apply for welfare and once you qualify, you get it!
When this is happening, people have faith in their institutions.
Those with criminal tendency will be more effectively deterred from committing crimes than by a non-functioning
death penalty.
Corruption undermines all of this.
From the time it is seen that others are benefitting unfairly because of their race, political affiliation, religion
or social standing, "all fall dong!"
As a simple example,would workers work if the secretary gets a raise by sleeping with the boss? Won't they say, "Hard
work means nothing here so why bother?"
How many idealistic young police constables say the same thing when they see entrenched corruptiion in the police force?
The solution? Stamp out corruption and make systems work!
