Corruption and poverty

Corruption, defined as the use of public power and resources, as well as the duties, authority, and resources in private organizations, for private gain at the expense of society and the state, hinders competition and slows economic growth, reduces direct foreign capital inflows and tax revenues, increases poverty by distorting income distribution, leads to the waste of public resources, negatively affects essential public investments such as education, health, and security, undermines trust in public institutions, their administrators, and the justice system, and leads to moral decay in society.

It is a fact that corruption exists in the Turkish economy. Instead of holding those responsible for this corruption to account, the public is being mobilized. What is interesting is that the public participating in these meetings is not being told that corruption is impoverishing them, disrupting fairness in income distribution, and creating political instability. The public is not being told: If there were no corruption, you would have higher incomes, our democracy would be better, you would live in a better country, your children would attend better schools, receive treatment in better hospitals, and work in better jobs.

Corruption does not like openness and transparency. In transparent and open societies, there is no corruption, or it is less prevalent. Because transparency is the antidote to corruption. Corruption brings poverty, and poverty prevents individuals and households from having an income that allows them to lead a humane life. According to the 2024 Poverty and Living Conditions statistics from the Turkish Statistical Institute, in our country of 85 million people, the number of poor is 25 million; that is, 29 out of every 100 people are in need of aid. In other words, 14 out of every 100 people are happy, while the remaining 86 are unhappy.

Aristotle, in his work "Politics," says the following about corruption: "To protect the treasury from corruption, let us conduct financial transactions in front of the entire society and keep copies of the records related to them in various places."

Actually, much can be said about corruption. However, it is also a fact that corruption increases public sector financing deficits, taxpayers pay more taxes due to corruption, and the state borrows more and pays more interest because of corruption. For corruption to be prevented, the legal system must function effectively. For this, political will is very important in the fight against corruption. Instabilities in the political system, inefficiencies in the legal system, and difficulties in the institutional structure increase corruption and, as a result, create economic instability.

If there is inequality in the economy and income distribution, then while corruption increases on one hand, the number of poor also increases. As oversight and transparency increase, corruption decreases, and poverty decreases. Injustice in income distribution begins to improve.

Turkey is among the group of countries in Europe where corruption is most prevalent. According to the results of the 2024 Corruption Perceptions Index, Turkey ranked 107th with 34 points. Yet, it was in 64th place in 2014. In fact, by falling 43 places in 12 years, it has dropped back to its 2002 ranking in 2024.

In our country, corruption disrupts fairness in income distribution and poses major obstacles to our country's development and growth. In countries with fair income distribution, corruption decreases, and with the reduction of corruption, an effective justice and legal system and the functioning of democracy are ensured. In our country, a "Clean Hands" process must be initiated immediately for a clean society and clean politics, and an "Anti-Corruption Agency" must be established.

Prof. Dr. Duran BÜLBÜL