Is country-scale corruption possible without a big government?

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In summary: Large scale: the state interfering with the market to support certain companies. It doesn't matter how big the government is, corruption will always exist.
  • #1
Tosh5457
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A big government (characterized by a significant spending as % of GDP, like the European governments, US, Canada, Japan, etc...) obviously makes it easier for a wide-scale corruption to exist. In Portugal, Italy, Greece, among others, this is where the corruption is coming from. Corruption shows up in the form of, for example, subsidizing and helping companies whose CEO has connections in politics (like private schools, hospitals, banks, etc...) and monopolies that exist because of government intervention (energy market in Portugal for example). Basically there's a misuse of political power to support private interests. In US, many banks obviously use the power of government for their own benefit.

Now, on my question: are there historical examples of significant corruption on the scale of a country, without big government? If the state is very small, won't be the big companies the ones "making the rules", and exert their power onto others, for their own benefit?
 
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  • #2
I cannot understand your question. It may be possible to gain some insight into the subject you've raised here:
“Transparency International is the world’s foremost organization on fighting corruption. It has 90 chapters worldwide, which aim to raise awareness and establish methods of tackling corruption and measuring its harmful effects.”
http://rt.com/news/transparency-report-corruption-rises-861/
 
  • #3
Are there historical examples of countries with high corruption and a small government?
 
  • #4
Tosh5457 said:
Are there historical examples of countries with high corruption and a small government?
Of course there are, think of small towns where all officials are corrupt and run the town. Size has nothing to do with corruption. Think of small countries in Africa.

You need to do more research if you want to start a thread about the subject.
 
  • #5
Dictatorships are the ultimate example of this: tiny governments, total corruption.
 
  • #6
Corruption knows no bounds. It works at large scale and small scale. Small scale:

 
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1. Can corruption exist in a country without a big government?

Yes, corruption can still exist in a country without a big government. While a larger government may have more opportunities for corrupt behavior, corruption can also occur in smaller government systems.

2. Is there a correlation between the size of a government and the level of corruption in a country?

There is no clear correlation between the size of a government and the level of corruption in a country. Many factors, such as cultural norms, economic conditions, and government policies, can influence the level of corruption in a country.

3. What measures can be taken to prevent corruption in a country with a smaller government?

Some measures that can be taken to prevent corruption in a country with a smaller government include implementing strict ethical standards for public officials, increasing transparency and accountability in government processes, and providing resources for anti-corruption agencies.

4. Are there any examples of countries with a small government that have successfully reduced corruption?

Yes, there are examples of countries with smaller governments that have successfully reduced corruption. For instance, Singapore is often cited as a country with a smaller government that has effectively tackled corruption through strong anti-corruption laws and strict enforcement.

5. Can a country with a small government still have effective measures in place to combat corruption?

Yes, a country with a smaller government can still have effective measures in place to combat corruption. Effective anti-corruption measures depend on the commitment and enforcement of those measures, rather than the size of the government.

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