Greed, corruption, and politics

By Mark DaCosta-Probably, few Guyanese, regardless of political affiliation, could honestly say that they do not fully grasp the implications of the caption of this article. That conclusion is based on the numerous interactions with citizens of all walks of life with whom this publication communicates. 

Greed is defined as uncontrolled longing for the acquisition or use of material gain such as money, land, or other possessions, or the insatiable hunger for social value, such as status, or power. Greed has always been identified as undesirable throughout human history because it creates behavior-conflict between personal and social goals. In other words, personal greed causes society to suffer. 

Experts say that greed is not just about getting more material things, it may also be the desire to obstruct competitors from potential means for basic survival and comfort or future opportunities. Therefore being greedy, regardless of purpose, tends to create an inequity of access to, or distribution of community wealth.

Guyanese know a lot about greed. Many ordinary people have suffered because someone in political office – or one of their cronies – is greedy. 

Guyanese know about having to pay bribes, they know about having their homes bulldozed, their jobs taken away, their ancestral lands seized, and their loved ones – who may be political or social activists – killed, all because of someone’s greed for more money or political power. In fact, Guyanese know so much about political greed that they may even say that they can put a face and a name to it. 

And Guyanese know a lot about corruption, too. 

Experts say that there is a direct link between greed and corruption. It will be recalled that, in February 2022, Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo’s name was called by the internationally recognised VICE NEWS, in a corruption scandal involving bribery schemes with Chinese businessman, Su Zhi Rong. Vice President Jagdeo, while admitting that Su was his tenant, denied any wrongdoing. In any case, many Guyanese must have felt ashamed and embarrassed about the negative international attention to which our beloved country was subjected. 

While that matter may or may not have blown over – as have happened to many other scandals – the reports by VICE NEWS publicised the link between greed and political corruption. Other thinkers have also pointed to that connection.  

Mahatma Gandhi said, “Earth provides enough to satisfy every man’s needs, but not every man’s greed.”

Sasietho Felix Asst. Professor at St. Joseph’s College, Jakhama, India, wrote the following:

“Greed is the mother of all types of corruption, whether you face it in a government office or private office, while travelling by train, paying your taxes, in a government hospital, on road while driving or read in the papers and on TV channels, as we are doing these days with no end in sight. However, it must be clearly understood that greed is an unacceptable human folly.

“Corruption is like cancer in the human system. Like cancer, corruption eats away the system slowly but surely from inside, initially without knowing it, but by the time you know of it, it may be too late.

American political and social commentator, Janice Ellis, agrees, she wrote:

“Whether driven to hang on to power, have access to money, or intoxicated by fame — when politicians say and do things that hurt and harm the people for their personal gain, it is greed of the most grievous kind.

“Greed? Yes, greed. Greed has many faces and is manifested in many ways.

“Whatever form of greed is in play, it fosters and protects selfish interests no matter what principles and laws are bent or broken, and no matter what negligence and harm are inflicted on others.”