192 Occasional Papers

REFERENCES
Bista, D.B. (1992). Fatalism and Development (Nepal's struggle for
Modernization). Orient Longman, Calcutta 1992
Kieffer, Charles H. (1984). Citizen empowerment: A developmental
perspective. In J. Rappapol1, C. SWIft & R. Hess, R.. (Eds.).
Studies in empowerment: Steps toward understanding and
action (p. 9-36). New York: Haworth.
Prestby JE, Wandersman A, Florin P, Rich R, Chavis D. Benefits,
costs, incentive management and partiCipatiOn In volunt~ry
CORRUPTION: A PSYCHOSOCIAL ISSUE
organizations: a means to understanding ~nd promotmg
empowerment. American Journal of Community Psychology
1990;18(1):117-149. Niranjan Prasad Upadhyay'
Tanner, 2001. Emerging Methods in Research Participation and
Empowerment Processes in Nepal. Occasional Papers in Introduction
Sociolooy and Anthropology, Vol. VII. Central Department
of SoC~logy Anthropology, Tribhuvan University, Nepal. The word corruption is very universal. Today social
p.p. 147-173. researchers are indulging to deal corruption in their own
Tanner, 2001. The Project: A Brief Discussion From the Development ways. Especially, psychologists argue that nice and clean man
Context. SAMAJ: Journal of Sociology and Anthropology. may change his or her behaviour on the basis of social and
Tri-Chandra Multiple Campus, Kathmandu, Nepal. p.p. 25- family pressures and circumstances. American psychologist,
27. David G. Myers (1994) has stressed in his book entitled
Tatsuoka, M.M. (1971). Multivariate analysis. Techniques for
"Exploring social psychology" that nice people also become
educational and psychological research. New York: Wtley.
corrupted through excessive social pressures. Basically, in
Uphoff, Norman (1992) Learning from Gal Oya:Possibilities for
Participatory Development and Post·Newtolllan SOCial developing countries like Nepal, the people are always trying to
Science. Ithaca, NY:Cornell University Press. accumulate money and want to be rich persons by different
Zimmerman, M. & Rappaport, J. Citizen Participation, Perceived means. In day -to day practice, family members begin to put
Control and Psychological Empowerment. Community pressure on the nice and clean service man to get money by any
Psychology Journal, 1989. means. Actually, such types of daily pressures of the family may
Zimmerman, M. (1992). Taking Aim on Empowerment Research: On disturb the mental balance of government and non-governmental
the Distinction Between Individual and PsychologIcal personnel. In fact, in every aspect of life the man is negatively
Conception. American Journal of Community Psychology, 18, imitating others behaviors in different way of actions like
169-177. marriage ceremony, thread wearing ceremony, birthday,
construction of huge buildings, purchasing lands, cars,
diamonds, gold etc.
Corruption is an antisocial activity, which is learnt
through nastiest parenting. Effective parenting by implication,

Chief Psychologist (Joint Secretary) Public Service Commission

194 Occasional Papers N. P. Upadhayal Corruption: A Psychosocial... 195

aims at primarily the best type family climate for a congenial fact that the large amount of such undue goods and services used
socialization of the individual, as well as, a healthy development to go directly to their respective masters. Because of all these
of his or her personality and self. Every one's personality is the reasons, the noble sermon (or the Dibya Upadesh) of Prithibi
creation of his or her family. Family provides a frame - work arayan Shah, the founder of modern Nepal, was undermined
within which human being may find roots, continuity and sense and violated right from that period, though the words of the
of belonging. Parents serve as the first socializing agents. sermon regarded both the bribe -receiver and bribe - offerer as
Especially, sound family environment always persists enemy of the nation. Now they are thrown into the dustbin of
disciplines, moral and obedience lessons. Mainly, such history leaving a legacy of protected type of corruption and
diversified effective lessons impart good manner, corruption free institutionalization of all SOlis of malpractices. As a result, social
mind, and acquired integrated personality. At the same time, it is status remained only on the money and power irrespective cf its
essential to say that psychosocial approach is purely interlinked source. People with black money gained power and emerged as
with social behavioral phenomena and which is product of elites of the nation. This situation also gave a positive chance for
society. So, in this article I have managed to deal various the emergence of wing of contractors and sub -{;ontractors
disciplines pertaining to corruption. Basically, man is influenced within the institutionalized pattern of corruption in epa!.
by various factors and those factors disturb his entire personality. Studies have shown that a very open economy is
Consequently, he or she may be diverted towards wrong path. significantly associated with lower corruption. An economist,
Corruption is a major obstacle to development .It Paolo Mauro (1997) introduces a research article on "Why worry
undermines democracy and destroys the credibility of about corruption?" in the Economic issues Series. In that article
government. Effective democracy requires a comprehensive he stresses that when civil service pay is too low, civil servants
attack on corruption as a factor of social disintegration and may be obliged to use their positions to collect bribes as a way of
distortion of the economic system that undermines the legitimacy making ends meet.
of political institutions. Transparency International has done HMG has initiated important steps towards good
exceptionally remarkable work in creating worldwide awareness governance and corruption control in this fiscal year. The
about the dangerous implication of the growing menace of government is committed to prepare a Comprehensive Anti
corruption, especially for billions of people living in developing Corruption Strategy and its implementation for corruption
countries. control in the next fiscal year. The strategy regarding the
Corruption in Nepal is so rampant that in spite of many corruption eradication had to be prepared and implemented by
efforts to reduce it, it exists at all levels of public bureaucracy. mid-October 2002 (Public Statement on Income and Expenditure
This is really a great challenge to the campaign of national on the Fiscal year2002-2003, His Majesty's Government,
development (Administrative Reform Commission's Report, Ministry of Finance, Bagdarbar, Kathmandu, 'epal).
1975-76). Basically, right from the inception of Rana rule in Recently, (2002 year) Upadhyay introduces an article
Nepal, public servants had become bold enough to collect and on "A fight for corruption control in Nepal" in the Journal of the
save the money any how for the personal use of the Ranas, their Nepal Administrative Staff College. In that article he remarks
immediate bosses and themselves. The proverb" one who takes that in the case of epal although people may have the
honey out of the beehive, licks his hand" also became popular temptation to flout the law for their political gain, if the law is
and it boosted up their courage to gain some personal privilege implemented rather sternly it may be difficult in the initial period
from their respective positions in civil service (Poudyal, 1984). but in the long run that gets settled and the politics gets its own
This psychological encouragement was also supported by the course of action. Furthermore, there is necessary to make a law
196 Occasional Papers N. P. UpadhayaJ Corruption: A Psychosocial .. 197

that requires a person to declare the legal source of the wealth But, it is suffering from a bad image among the public. A recent
acquired by him. Such strategy will greatly contribute to the survey of NGO postulates that people see corruption thriving
fight for controlling corruption. In this subject, Chief under political protection. As high as 84 percent of the survey
Commissioner presents following figure, which shows the respondents were pessimistic about the possibility of corruption
involvement and relationship of diversified agencies pertaining control. They do not even file a complaint against corrupt
to corruption control. behaviour, as no remedy would be available.
Particularly, poor societies with heavy state intervention
and regulations and regulations create numerous monopoly rents
with discretionary powers bestowed on government officials.
Minislries. various departments government and semi
Some economists have come up with a simple equation placing
government agencies

•
corruption, C, as a function of monopoly (M), discretion (D) and
Special accountability (A): C =M+D-A. This demonstrates clearly how
Auditor General's
Ollice ~
I Department corruption exists in an environment where a state organization
"" I has monopoly power over the distribution of goods, discretion to
"" decide who receives them and is not accountable for its actions
Public AccouO( ,,~---- Supreme (Wagle, 1998).
Commillee.........
- Corruption
Control
CIAA
~Court epalese administration is characterized by different
kinds of pathological trailS such as the pathology of persistence,
pathology of conservatism, pathology of growth, pathology of
~
Department of
Revenue intelligence
-4-- Courtor status, pathology of self -service, pathology of buck- passing,
,". Appeal pathology of delay, pathology of nepotism and favoritism and
pathology of corruption. The existence of these bureau-
Local bodies ...
DOC, VDC
\\ 1Il. CI1iCf District
Officers
pathologies have been recognized the major reasons that impede
\ public bureaucracy on its developmental role. Poudyal, (1986)
\ stresses that corrupt environment of the country has been one of
Press Media
~ the major reasons for the existence of the pathology of
Ci\ il ocicly Office of Attorney corruption. Pervasiveness of corruption in Nepalese society has
General not left any circle untouched from below to top levels. It is
moreover institutionalized and has been accepted as mode of life.
At the same time people within the country do not bother about
Figure I. Relationsip of Ministries, departments and semi- the source and nature of income, they worship money and all are
government agencies in corruption control (Adapted from behind it. Because of this corrupt environment, developmental
Upadhyay, S.N., A fight for corruption control in Nepal, undertakings of the country are facing lot of problems and the
Administration and Management Review, Volume 14,No.l, bureaucracy is caught within the corrupt circle.
2002,Nepal Administrative Staff College, Jawalakhel, Lalitpur Chiefly, to secure an efficient civil service, it is essential
Nepal). . to protect it from political and personal influences. In countries
Ghimire, H. (2001) has recently introduced an article on where this principle has been neglected, and the spoils system
Pro- poor governance as good governance in Kathmandu Post. has taken its place, an inefficient and disorganized civil service
He states that the government is, of course not bad in everything.
 N. P. Upadha)'al Corruption: A Psychosocial... 199
198 Occasional Papers

basis of this survey, the 1999 Transparency International

has been the inevitable result and corruption has been out of Corruption Perc~ption Index (CPI) was published. At the top of
control. It is a leading hindrance to progress. It deteriorates thIS mdex table IS Denmark, which has the distinction of being
democracy and destroys the creditability of government. regarded as the most honest country in the world. At the bottom
Effectual democracy requires an abundance attack on corruption of the table is Cameroon that is assessed being the most corrupt
as a factor of social disintegration and distortion of the economic country of the world.
system that undermines the legitimacy of political institutions. The problem of governance presents itself in many
Recently the government of Nepal has formulated governance forms both as a social pathology and as outcomes, creating
reforms policy. Some of such envisioned reforms are anti anxIety Il1 all responsIble quarters about the future of the nation.
corruption measures, reform management and capacity building, Corruption driving strong of avarice and myopic quest for
improvement in the overall efficiency of the civil service, personal power knows no ideology, nor does it recognize any
enhancing competence and motivation of civil servants and rehglon, language, ethnicity or constitutional system. It can be
performance improvement in key ministries. In the new program regulated, contained and controlled only by a sense of social
of anti corruption, the government aims at strengthening the responsibility (Pandey, D. R., 200 I). Many social researchers
legal framework for combating corruption through the have urged that anti-corruption laws and offices alone will not be
involvement of civi I society. able to cope with corruption. In the democratic environment
"Corruption culture" is widely exercised in different forms of
Corruption Scenarios of Developed and Developing
~ction and social behaviour. Psychologically, man is always
Countries Imltatll1g others pomp and show behaviours. Actually, such
Even the economic development of the country is behavIOrs demand illegal way of thoughts and it disturbs mental
severely handicapped by an inadequate, inefficient and ill balance of the individual. Consequently, the man drives toward
maintained infrastructure whose functioning is hampered by illegal path. Especially, for controlling such types of behaviour
indescribable malpractices (Sriwastava, 200 I). Sriwastava the family members must follow the moral proverb "Cut your
flllther adds that correction process must therefore begin at the coat accordll1g to your cloth" and never insist to the elders for
topmost political and administrative levels. necessaries and demands.
There is corruption in developed countries as well but, in
Public Servant and Corruption Practice
relative terms, it is marginal and it does not affect the day-to -
day life of the common people. In developing countries, Mere receipt of money by a public servant raises the
corruption is pervasive and frustrates all efforts to provide relief presumption of illegal gratification, which in plain words is
to many millions of common people who, even today, are bnbery and corruption. It is not necessary that such a payment
suffering from abysmal and degrading poverty. The International should be definitely concerned to a particular case or contract or
Herald Tribune (1999) states the relevant pictures of developing a positive ~r identifiable favour done. Personnel expert,
countries. Tribune further adds that among the 4.4 billion people Mahshukhanl (1979) focuses that a publ ic servant is expected to
in developing countries around the world, three- fifth live in be a cautIous man. He or she must conduct in a manner so as not
communities lacking basic sanitation; one- third go without safe to create traps or suspicious situations. In the context of
drinking water; one-quarter lack adequate housing, one-fifth are corruption, The ew Encyclopedia Britannica (1997) states that
undernourished, and 1.3 billion live on less than $ I a day. corruption, th~ act of promising, or agreeing to receive money or
In 1999 Transparency International carried out a Survey SOme other thll1g of value with the corrupt aim of influencing a
of as many as 99 countries spread over five continents. On the
200 Occasionol Papers
N. P. Upadhaya/ Corruplion: A Psychosocial. .. 201

u brc official duty. When money has been offered or promised

fn e~change for a corrupt act, the official involved need not
Tactics of Controlling Corruption
actually accomplish that act of the offense of bribery to be In Nepalese context, Transparency International Nepal
complete. . d h t is running various multidimensional programs and tactics
Personnel management expert has emphasize t a a pertaining to corruption Control. In this course of actions, it
civil society must prevent itself from getting accustomed to poor combats in all forms at national and international levels through
governance., Tile ma;or barriers to good governanced "ty are the advocacy, civic pressure, professional interaction and awareness
bloated size of the career bureaucracy, lower pro UCtIVI. ' poor building. Some other objectives that regularly covers like
accountability, transparency and integrity. It IS said. that discouraging abuse of public posts and authority for personal
overnance can be seen as the exercise of eC01:omlc, political interests and motivating movements for an active role against
=nd administrative authority to manage country S affairs at all corruption.
levels. It comprises the mechanism, process and mslltullons, Yet the government undertook several measures that
th h which citizens and groups articulate their mterests,
e:;~fse
corrected the distortions in the economy and social structure. In
their legal rights, meet their obligations and mediate the context of corruption, the daily English, Space Time Today
their differences. "Governance" is a COntlnU1Un, and not has remarked that if Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA)
necessarily unidirectional: it does not automatically Impr~ve is indeed to play its designated role to popular expectations by
.
over time. It ',S a plant that needs constant . tendmg. Like really punishing the corrupt and guilty, some fundamental
democracy governance remains particularly difficult to operate. rethinking will have to be done. The CIAA has at its disposal to
Actually Good governance possesses diversified features I.e. carry out its duties is inadequate to curb corruption. Corruption,
transpar~ncy, accountability, public sector management et~ lack of character, incompetence and abuse of authority have
epalese management researchers pmpomt that goo remained some of the glaring trademarks of too many of those in
governance without good bureaucracy will remain a myth. . the country's public life. This has to be corrected. But, ambiguities
Due to the rampant corruption in Nepal, the SOCIO- surrounding some of the laws for dealing with such personages as
economic and political system of the country IS heavily well as the absence of an effective authority to check wrong doing
deteriorated. Psychologically, government. must Impart at high places has, in fact resulted in widespread disillusionment
awareness-building lessons to the general public as presentmg with the country's democratic polity itself. Beyond this, the all
the diversified pictures of developed and developmg countries ~~ pervasiveness of corruption has pre- empted the aspirations of the
referring their success in various disciplines. Also govern mel people to move forward to a better quality of life. The country has
made too lillie progress in all fronts. Developments efforts have
must disseminate its policies regardmg corruption and publish
been moving at too slow a pace 10 meet Ihe minimum expectations
those events to the general people through different media.
of the people. Anti corruption efforts have remained merely a
Transparency International Nepal stresses that a corrupt '~lan
Convenient slogan, which people have come to view as not even
cannot be a democrat, a leader and a parliamentarian.
amusing. All this obviously has to be straightened out. This will not
Accordingly, corrupted persons should be expelled .and ~?CI~lly be possible until every body, particularly the high and the mighty in
boycotted. Regmi, (200 I) has introduced book entitled FIring public life, are made accountable to the laws of the land.
Corruption" in his book he has stressed about the prevailmg Despite frequent assertions of intent by political leaders,
irregularities or corruption in government ~ffices. Primarily, to Nepal has yet to develop an effective anti- corruption agenda. All of
secure an efficient civil service, it is essential to protect It from these deficiencies, particularly the absence of effective institutional
political and personal influences. arrangements to enforce accountability, together with the incentives
for short-lived governments to maximize personal gains as quiCkly
202 Occasional Papers
N. P. Upadhaya/ Corruption: A Psychosocial .. 20 3

as possible have created a fertile environment for corruption.

Although there is linle statistical evidence to conclusively prove REFERENCES
whether corruption in Nepal has increased or not, there are enough
examples to indicate the frequency of its incidence and how Encyclopedia Britannica Vol.2, 1997, USA, P. 509.
widespread the problem is(Nepal Public Expenditure Review, Gh Illllre H (200 I) " P
'K . . . ro- poor governance". in Kathmandu Post
Document of the World Bank, 2000). antlpur Publications, PVI. Lid., Kantipur Complex'
Subhldhanagar, Kathmandu, Nepal. '
Conclusion James, G.S. (19:'9). "The eglect of GrOWing Povel1y Poses a Global
Threal. III The Imernational Herald, P.6.
Psychologists advocate that good and dil1 free man may
Mansukhanl, H.L. (1979). "Corruption and Public servants". in Vikas
modify his or her behaviour on the basis of community and family
PubllShlllg House, PVI.Ltd., New Delhi.
pressures and situations and consequently he or she may pursue the
Myers, D.G .. (1994). "How nice people get corrupled?" In ExplGrin o
wrong path. Social scientists argue that such kind of people also Social Psychology, McGraw- Hill, Inc., USA. ~
get corrupted through unnecessary social pressures. In principal, the Nepal Pubhc Expenditure Review (2000). Document of the World
developing countries like Nepal, people always try to collect cash Bank, Report No.20211-nep, Poverty Reduction and
and want to be wealthy person by unusual way. Psychologically, P Economic Management Unit South Asia Region.
family members initiate the nice and spotless man as compelling to oudyal, M:P. (1984). Aspects of Public administration in Nepal.
obtain currency by any means. In fact, such types of day-by-day atlOnaJ Book Organisation, ew Delhi.
pressures of the family may upset the mental equilibrium of general Regmee, R.. K. (200 I). "Firino Corruption" in T
I' :=>. ransparency
man or government and non-governmental personnel. . . ntematlOnal Nepal, Kathmandu, Nepal.
Corruption is an unfriendly doings, which is learnt through Srrohl, Ai. and Chauhan, N:S. (1991). "Parenting in child socialization:
worst parenting. Effective parenting by implication aims at s.tudy of fathering roles ship In a multivariate selling". In
primarily the best type family environment for a friendly . Indian Journal of Psychology, Indian
socialization of the individual, as well as, a healthy growth of his or Space Time Today (2001). Editorial writing on "Appropriate decision"
her personality. At the same time it is necessary to say that 111 Space Time Publication, Pvt. Ltd., Panipokhari Kathmand;1
Nepal. "
psychosocial approach is purcly interlinked with social behavioral
phenomena and it is the product of society. Primarily, man is Srivastrva, C.P. (2001). India's Enemy Within. In Macmillan India
Ltd. The New Delhi. '
influenced by diverse factors and these factors upset his entire
Upadhhyay, S.N. (2002). A fight for corruplion comrol in Control.
personality.
AdministratIOn and Management Review A Journal f Th
Nepal Administrative Staff Colleoe J~walakhel LOal't e
Nepalese administration, is characterized by different kinds
of pathological traits such as the pathology of persistence, Nepal. e> , I pUI

pathology of conservatism, pathology of growth, pathology of Upadhyay,. N.P. (2002,). Corruplion in Nepali bureaucracy. The
status, pathology of self -service, pathology of buck- passing, Hlmalayan,(Eng.) The Himalayan Times, APCA House
pathology of delay, pathology of nepotism and favoritism and Slllgha Durbar, Baidyakhana Road Kathmandu Nepal '
pathology of corruption. The existence of these bureau- pathologies Wagle, S. (1998). Literature Review on the corruptio~ debat~ in the
have been recognized the major reasons that hamper public economIcs literature . A Journal of Ad min ..rstratlOn
.
burcaucracy on its developmental role. Psychologically, Management and Development, Kathmandu, Nepal. '
government and non -governmental organizations must impart
awareness-building programs pertaining to corruption control.