Corruption, that is, dishonesty in handling business dealings or politically relevant realities, is a complex matter, because of its multidisciplinary nature. Sociology, economy, psychology, ethics, law and others study this complex word that is so fashionable in the 21st century, the century where all one talks about is money and the economy. It is a crime of money or, rather, an exchange of favours.

Corruption is present in most powers in society – executive, legislative, judicial, public prosecution, police and the media – and failed politicians can find no easier job than to live off “the fight against corruption”, which gives them a soapbox on which to stand and shout.

Powers that are often intermingled and exchange favours between them, fight against the corruption of the banker, the mayor, or John and Mary. They even find corruption in the business dealings of a simple family with no assets. Often the siege is deadly for the honourability of the people targeted, even if years later we discover that there was no corruption at all.

The police rush back and forth looking for the corrupt and the corruptors, who acquired money, a bagful of seabass or some sort of promise. The society in general does not understand the importance of this offence, because it is more worried about the violent crimes that jeopardize their physical safety or their property.

The fight against corruption questions the credibility of the system and relations between the major powers of society, in addition to the flow of relations between citizens and public administration, the development of economies and the normal functioning of the markets.

This fight must be carried out on a serious basis, never with spectacle and obscure interests that do everything to “punish” social conventions, normal relationships between people, even sympathy and generosity. The word justice must always come before the word money.

Source: Human Rights - written by young jews from 40 countries with support of B'nai B'rith International Portugal and International Observatory of Human Rights