It really doesn’t make sense to compare corruption in the West with that in the Third World, Global South, or the so-called Developing World, as these terms are conveniently used. The corruption in the Third World itself is tied to Western policies, whether through control of global financial institutions, trade, or other avenues.
International institutions like Transparency International (TI), dominated by American and Western influence, use the Corruption Perception Index (CPI) to gauge corruption globally. Yet, this index operates without consulting the Global South, raising questions about its fairness. This reflects not just a racist, colonial approach, but also extreme arrogance.
Let’s look at the United States 60 years after its independence in 1836. The country was plagued by chaos and riddled with all the vices one could imagine; indigenous land dispossession, an infamous episode known as the “Trail of Tears,” democracy exclusive to property-owning white males, slavery, gross income inequality, widespread poverty, and poor infrastructure. Add to that state capture by the wealthy elite and other numerous injustices.
If we compare Africa’s progress in the same post-colonial timeframe, it becomes absurd to claim that Africa has failed where the West has thrived. In fact, Africa’s progress in governance, infrastructure, and human rights is far beyond what America had achieved by that same period in its history.
The issue is not just historical but structural. TI’s methodology relies on perception, not reality. Its Corruption Perception Index isn’t based on data but on subjective views shaped by the very institutions that seek to portray the West as free from corruption. This leads the author to propose a new measure—the Corruption Reality Index (CRI)—one that accurately gauges corruption based on real issues and hard data, not perceptions manipulated by Western powers.
If corruption were measured comprehensively, taking into account moral decay, international misuse of power, exploitation of weaker nations’ resources, and institutional manipulation by the IMF and World Bank, the Global South’s condition would appear in a different light. The macro policies of powerful nations have directly led to the deteriorating conditions in the Global South, but TI conveniently overlooks this.
TI’s methodology measures corruption at a micro level with unrealistic, biased standards. It is evident that TI and the West are misleading the world with selective and skewed practices.
Yes, there’s still much work to be done in the Global South, particularly in Africa, to tackle corruption and build better institutions. But it is critical to remember that Africa, 60 years after its independence, is performing better than the United States did at a similar point in its history.
Rather than being distracted by Western indices and narratives, Africa should focus on the real task at hand: building the right kind of infrastructure to lay the foundation for an industrialized, interconnected continent. Among the most important projects Africa should focus on are:
- Building the proposed African Railway Triangle Network Master Plan (ARTNMP) by Century Rail Ltd (CRL), which would create a transformative, continent-wide transportation system.
- Developing a continental communications platform by laying fiber optic cables along the ARTNMP railway platform.
- Adding 200,000 MW of electrical power to the continent by constructing the 40,000 MW Inga Dam project and building four additional nuclear power plants of similar capacity.
- Expanding Africa’s agricultural output to ensure food security and sustainable growth.
To accomplish this monumental task, securing political will is paramount. Cohesive political action must be taken across the continent to marshal all its resources—human, material, and intellectual. The African Continental Unity Party (ACUP) stands ready to lead this effort, acting as the engine to drive Africa’s renaissance and ensure its rightful place on the global stage.
To connect with the ACUP, reach out on;
Email: unity@africanacup.org
Phone: +233 (0)548534511
Website: www.africanacup.org
