Tuesday, October 26, 2010

And the Results of the TI Corruption Perceptions Index 2010 are in..


Trinidad and Tobago has moved from 79 to 73 in the Transparency International Corruption Perceptions Index. This is an improvement from last year... Jamaica has also improved from last year but still trails TT at 87 and the big winner in the Caribbean..the country with the lowest perception of corruption is Barbados and actually makes the top 20 at number 17. 


Now, we know all the criticisms of the index - it measures perception not actually corrupt activity - also biased against the third world since it does not take into consideration the supply side of corruption. 

However there is the BPI (BribePayers Index) which does the latter and really and truly "perception" of corruption is just as destructive to a society as the actual acts themselves. Once a country is perceived to be corrupt, some persons just accept that this is the way to do business, feel helpless in the fight against corruption and thereby contribute to the perpetuation of this environment through their own malaise.. this undermines public trust and confidence in our governance architecture which then cripples anti-corruption initiatives and efforts. 

Let us continue doing our best to change ourselves as we learn more and become more enlightened as citizens about what to expect from our elected officials and our own obligations to our community. This way, with positivity, faith in our goals and considered collaborative action our society will change...for the better.


For full results click link below: