Bribe & get the order Or Don’t bribe & risk the order - What will be your take?

Bribe & get the order Or Don’t bribe & risk the order - What will be your take?

"The Eskimos have thirty words for describing different kinds of snow, and modern Russian has about the same number of expressions to describe giving a bribe to a state official." - Victor Pelevin. We see bribery in each and every aspect of our life nowadays. Few even try to bribe GOD! We always associate bribery with immoral action. But don't we unconsciously always bribe in some or the other way? For e.g. we bribe our children to do something-like offering chocolate for good behavior. Though it seems innocent and trivial, it is a bribe. Then why do we raise such hue and cry when it comes to bribery on large scale or even on a noticeable scale. Isn't it possible to legalize bribery? It would surely solve many problems and also facilitate working. Also, people can focus on other development activities rather than spending energy and time in protesting against bribery.

Bribing and getting the order –

1. Sometimes, one has to think pragmatically in order to achieve maximum productivity when one is stuck in a corrupt system. Getting the order is more important. If bribe has to be given for it then it is fine as a more important work is getting done.

2. Many a times we find that for simple work too we need to spend lot of time and energy. If a bribe can do the trick, then we should use such ways as long as it does not harm anyone.

3. The entire system is corrupt and fighting alone will not change it. There is no united action of people seen. Thus instead of fighting the system and creating roadblocks for oneself, it’s better to bribe and get the work done.

4. It would be much wiser to change the system from within it. So if we have to give bribe initially to get order to enter the system, we should give a bribe. Then once we are in, we can fight the system.

5. Many a times we find lobbying being done. Lobbying though is different from bribing; we can see how it facilitates work. So we can think of bribing on same lines and give bribe to facilitate our order.

6. Many a times we reward people for their actions. This is a sort of encouragement provided for future acts. Bribery can act in same way where bribes encourage facilitating actions.

Not bribing & risking the order –

1. Under no circumstances bribing can be justified. It is immoral.

2. Also, some feel that bribery makes things easy, but bribery has no guarantee. On bribing there is no guarantee that the person will deliver on the promise.

3. There should not be any need of bribe as getting something like documents, etc. from government offices is the right of a citizen and he shouldn't have to pay for it apart from lawfully prescribed fees. Getting an order meant for an individual or legally belonging to oneself shouldn't need bribing.

4. The government officials are to serve the people. They should not turn this service into business. They get salary for it as well as job security.

5. Rewarding is completely different from bribing. We reward out of choice. There is no compulsion. Also, rewards come after action is done. Bribing is to persuade one to do his duty. Duty is compulsory as we get paid for doing our duties.

6. It is better to risk the order as one has other legal opportunities to get the order if the order is meant for you or you are the one selected by a fair procedure.

7. We must not compromise on morals, values and ethics for sake of gaining something. It does not last long. It sets a bad example for the people. Also, it mostly affects us and our near and dear ones. We will have to live with the guilt and consequences of it.

It is seen that bribery is rampant in our system. Even for small works, bribes are needed - even if getting the work done is the right of a citizen. Under no circumstances we can rationalize bribes. We should not compromise on our principles and should fight tooth and nail if someone refuses to give us our right. It is more honorable to risk the order by not bribing. We can fight the system in other ways too. The media, judiciary, etc. are other pillars who can help a citizen who is wronged; but bribing will close all other legal doors if things go south.