Bribe*, for lack of a better word, is Good

Over the years many reports have been published by international bodies like World Bank, IMF, Transparency International about the state of corruption in nation states. In most of them India is near the top of the most corrupt chart. Bribe, in any language is a frowned upon term, but I think that on a grass root level bribe is doing a lot of ‘good’ to India’s economy.

Think about a scenario, you crossed the red light and are stopped by the traffic cop. You get a ticket (chalan) for R200. That R200 goes to the coffer of the Traffic department and from there their is a 50% chance that it might travel overseas with many of its 'colleagues' to one of the tax havens like Liechtenstein (Swiss is so old school). In other words that R200 is out of India and thus a loss to the Indian GDP.

Instead if that traffic cop was bribed with, let’s say R100 you very well know that that R100 would stay in India. Chances are that cop might spend that R100 for personal consumption and unknowingly will help boost the Indian economy. It’s a win-win-win situation for all. Win for the traffic violator for he/she saved R100, win for the cop for he/she made R100 & win for the India’s GDP as that R100 would be spent on goods/services in India.

So next time when you break the ‘petty non-criminal law’ think about our great nation & her corrupt leaders and Please Bribe!!

* on a micro level

PS: Please focus on the phrase ‘petty, non-criminal law’