Why does Lokpal Law matter? I am shocked and dismayed when even the young people in India accept corruption as a part of life. They feel that corruption cannot be removed from India. As Arvind Kejriwal discusses, there is two kinds of corruption. First, there is corruption in high places. Second, there is retail corruption that is experienced by us in our daily life. So, how can we change the national attitude and behavior towards corruption? Human behavior experts cite three requirements for changing behavior. They call it antecedent, behavior and consequences or simply ABC. First, the antecedent (a strong and clear law) has to exist. Second, the behavior or the corruption has to be experienced and understood by people. Finally, the consequence or the punishment has to be delivered quickly. The longer the delay in the delivery of consequences, the less likely the behavior will change. That is why the Lokpal bill has to include a time limit of six months for settling cases. In Delhi, quick judgment and punishment in the Nibhaya case is a good example of helping change behavior. In the US, President Clinton was investigated by an independent regulator appointed by the US Congress within a few months. Had there been no independent regulator or no time limit, the case would still be going on 15 years later. In India, corruption cases are not treated urgently. India can remove corruption if there is a strong regulator or Lokpal who is not controlled by the ruling party.
Posted on: Fri, 21 Mar 2014 06:49:58 +0000