In order to emphasize the importance of this matter, a sense of fairness is extremely important to people's psychological well-being.
The more people feel that society is set up in a biased way, which unfairly favors some over others, the more downtrodden and exploited they feel, and thus, the more angry and miserable.
We are seeing this phenomenon at present, in the form of anger directed at banks, financial institutions, big business (most of all, oil companies), insurance companies, and government.
Anger lead to demands for change, which can result in denial and further repression by the powers that be, constructive progress, or violent revolution. We as a people -- people of the entire world, in fact -- must insist that the course of constructive progress be the one taken. This is a crucial role of the public in the use of moral capital. It is the public's use of its own moral capital, to insist that government be a place of moral capital.
This is a crucial role of the public in the use of moral capital.
It is the public's use of its own moral capital, to insist that government be a place of moral capital.
As long as financial capital is allowed which by its nature encourages excesses under the delusion of never-ending gain, society will be strapped with unfairness and corruptions unacceptable degrees.
The most damaging consequences of Truth Decay include the erosion of civil discourse, political paralysis, alienation and disengagement of individuals from political and civic institutions, and uncertainty over national policy.
We will need of our young people their engagement to achieve the key ways to curb corruption set forth below, and to ensure the generational advancement of community continually moves positively forward toward a better nation in the world.
- Focus on education
It is absolutely essential that greater attention be placed on the need for comprehensive education for the future generation. Such efforts would involve ensuring that school and university curricula are updated and modernized in line with societal changes and developments to reinforce positive ideas and societal values for future generations and protect vulnerable groups of children. These efforts also require us to ensure that all children have adequate access to education, proper transportation and facilities, and necessary government and community support.
An emphasis on education, however, is not limited to only the formal school or university setting. It includes the holistic education of the next generation through community and religious institutions, vocational and internship opportunities, and participation in public and political processes as an integral part of socialization and development. Such an approach would be more likely to bridge the gap between the younger generation and political institutions that represent and serve their interests, fostering more productive relationships and more open dialogue.
- Create a culture of integrity
Closely connected to the focus on education is the need to create a culture of integrity that is “hard-wired” in society. While such a culture can be fostered and advanced through the comprehensive education of the next generation discussed previously, there is no reason to limit such efforts to only young people. Civil servants, political leaders and private-sector actors – both individually and collectively – can immediately begin establishing and strengthening a culture of integrity that concentrates on high-quality service delivery and professional performance standards, treating individuals with respect and dignity, and – above all else – playing by the same rules of fairness and objectivity. That means living by principles seemingly so basic and obvious as “no cutting corners” and “not being above the law”. To paraphrase the author Robert Fulghum, such wisdom is not to be found on the top of the graduate school mountain, but in the sandpile at elementary school.
- Demand accountability
For any society to be successful at curbing corruption and sustaining a culture of integrity, there must be mechanisms in place that operate as a check on thinking or behaviour that would represent a backsliding to the previous corrupt ways of doing business in the public or private sectors. Such monitoring and oversight helps to positively reinforce integrity and professionalism while holding accountable those who choose to violate the positive societal norms. In order to create such institutions, however, it is up to the public to demand accountability from their political leaders, civil servants and private-sector actors. And this demand must be sustained through challenging times of political transition or economic downturn, when the temptations for engaging in unlawful and corrupt behavior will be at their highest levels.
Case in point: a huge difference will always exist between just getting things done
and getting things done right, under God, and the first time holds staying powers that last.
