How to prevent political corruption - Stephanie Honchell Smith
Explore common types of corruption and find out what we can do to combat it and promote transparency in our institutions.
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Corruption is often defined as misuse of a position of power for personal gain. And while corruption in politics is nothing new, it isn’t limited to the political sphere; it can happen in schools, sports, businesses, or religious institutions. So, what exactly is corruption, and what can we do to combat it? Stephanie Honchell Smith explores the importance of transparency in building public trust.
Lesson by Stephanie Honchell Smith, directed by Jeff Le Bars, JetPropulsion.space.
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So how do we safeguard our democracies against corruption? We start with a healthy and just society. Visit ed.ted.com/democracy-lab to learn what it takes for democracies to thrive, and find out why your engagement is the key.
can you guys do the history of playing cards???
أعجبني اسلوب رسوم متحركه جديده
W video
Thank you so much to those of you sharing examples of corruption in your own countries / communities. It makes it clear how pervasive this problem can be. But there is hope! [Spoiler] Corruption is not inevitable. It is the outcome of a series of choices. And it takes a series of choices to prevent it. We highly recommend visiting ed.ted.com/democracy-lab to learn about what role YOU can play in safeguarding democracy.
Democracy is a soft form of communism
The fact that this video uses classic boardgames and such shows how corruption works is perfectly spot-on on how it works: cold, calculated, and the end goal to dominate and win.
Waiting for Catan reference…
Aww
Agreed.
What you're talking about only aplies to corruption at its very highest levels. 99% of corruption has nothing to do with domination and winning. People just slowly drift into it, trying to make their lives a little easier. That's why it can be so hard to combat.
MrLennart is right. Did you even watch the video? It explicitly says that there are a number of driving forces at play, and that can include family pressure, poor salaries or a culture of corruption
the fact that zuma was just recently allowed to run for office again is an indictment on the pervasiveness of corruption in south africa. it is a reminder that fighting corruption is an endless battle that the citizens of every country must fight.
He's running for seat in the South African Parliament for another party not the Presidency
@@luyandzabavukiledlamini4693 : johnjohn's specific words were "allowed to run for office again". Johnjohn never said Zuma was running for the Presidency again. Furthermore, if Zuma is allowed to run for dog-catcher, the system is still broken. The nature of corruption in public office is that the likelihood of a false conviction is as close to zero as it can ever be. For that reason, I'd consider having a de'ath-pen'alty for public officials who are corrupt. Nobody deserves it more. On the other hand, even with the small odds a miscarriage might still be engineered. I mean, even if guilt is certain not beyond merely REASONABLE doubt but beyond ALL doubt, a person will be escorted from a cell to the exe'cut'ion-chamber. What if some clever prison-warden does a body-switch and the person who is taken from the cell to the chamber isn't ACTUALLY the corrupt public-official? This could be done in order to k'ill someone against whom the warden has a grudge, OR because the corrupt official has paid the warden to make the switch so that the corrupt official survives. So, maybe such a measure still has holes in it. But at the very least a corrupt public official should be locked up for 20 years. The cost to the taxpayer of locking them up for life (in a real prison designed to deter, not reform) is reduced if the term is only 20 years, not life. Then, upon release, the convict must be deprived of any and all conceivable benefits of membership in society, unable to vote, drive, be employed by any arm of government whatsoever (or any institution that receives government funding) serve on a jury, own anything the ownership of which is secured not by mere possession but by record-keeping (bank-accounts, real-estate, investment-securities, boats, cars, gu'ns), hold any license to practice a profession that requires a license, or attend any school that gets any government money whatsoever. Andy any re-offending would result in a life sentence.
@@luyandzabavukiledlamini4693 which is bad enough given his rap sheet and his recent prison spate for contempt of court
I remember. 97 members of our current parliamentary body have been implicated in state capture. I wish everyone in South Africa a safe and honest election.
@@luyandzabavukiledlamini4693If there was actual justice, he would of went to prison!
One of the worst and mostly overlooked side effect of corruption is that people who do such things do not feel guilty, on the contrary, they feel themselves smart and cunning, they feel good, which motivates them to do more and worse. That's why corrupted people go bigger and bigger, do not keep the same pace to stay under the radar, and eventually are exposed enough to be noticed. Then, the public often shout "how do you sleep at night?" expecting or assuming that corrupted people have a hard time, but no, they sleep beautifully. So, standing up against them once or twice is not enough, it should be a constant battle
To be fair the corrupted individual is right since they know they can get away with it. I think society has been conditioned to do nothing and try to work within the system. The same system that is rigged against them. The only way something might be done is to cause a legitimacy crisis. Another way is prevent these individuals from being able to isolate themselves from the public. If a lord lived in a castle town, they are incentivized to at least care about the people within that area. If they don't live near that area, they probably wouldn't bat an eye if it fell.
This. On point.
This applies precisely to my country, South Africa.
And Indonesia, often the most corrupted flaunt all their Fancy cars and luxury goods for everyone to see and even a blind man can tell they are using our collective tax money to fund their lifestyle. Yet, If we speak up there is a Law that allows them to jail anyone who "Slander" them. This included the media, so no one can do anything. 99.99% of our government are involved in corruption related behaviors, and enjoying every bit of it. Less than 5% of our tax money are being used to build the country, the rest are pocketed by everyone in the system.
Another huge economic side effect. If a corrupted guy steals 10% of a fund, he is very busy to hide and organize it. As result the rest 90% are spent very inefficiently. Basically he steals 10%, but damages taxpayers for 50% for instance.
These animations are getting too good
Hopefully not corrupted in future
Same thoughts I was just having
Honestly so good it's almost distracting. I keep not listening cuz I'm impressed with the animations
The animations and transitions are so well made in this video. jetpropulsion is definitely one of my favourite Ted-Ed animator teams
Where can I learn to animate like that
As a child I didn't really understand or care for the impacts of corruption very much, even though it was heavily present where I'm from, and still is. But when I was about 16, I began to realize how deep corruption can affect each of us. As you said, it is not necessarily limited to governments, but also to other institutions such as schools. Our school was supported by another, larger school, but they operated in virtually the same manner. The larger school was much more expensive, so, to prevent people from flocking to our school since it could offer the same quality at a different price, they would only allow mediocre teachers and managers to apply, leading to a setback in many students' performances. This led to corruption on a lower level; the new managers they hired would frequently harrass any teacher that didn't support them or made statements against the larger school. Those teachers were usually the most caring and conscientious, and so would often leave the school. It was horrible and I felt so powerless when one of the teachers told me what was actually happening.
Just sad
👏👏
Where was this, you should try and expose it to the local news
That’s where public outrage needs to come in.
@@lancepereira9337 Problem is, the larger school's owner was friends with the Minister of Education. At one point our school's principal (who was truly one of the best) spoke out against the larger school publicly, saying they're like Nazis and don't allow any level of freedom for him to do anything worthwhile, leading to a direct order from the minister that he be fired, and a much more malleable and obedient principal was put in his place.
Okay we’re all talking about the animation which is great but lets appreciate how the script writer was able to condense such a complex topic into 5 minutes while using real world examples!
Perhaps my favorite TED-Ed video. Using classic board games to tell a story is an amazing way to keep people hooked. Usually, I listen to the videos in the background while doing something else but I had to rewind this video every now and then so I don’t miss a transition or board game reference.
Thanks for all the likes, everyone! I can totally relate because I play a lot of board games myself.
Some people walk around in this country completely blind to all this corruption, it doesn't exist to them. It's like asking a fish, "hows the water"? Fish replies, "what's water"?
Worse is when they actively deny it.
@@ProcyonNite Even worse when they are for it. When I've mentioned corruption to fans of a certain orange crook, they've said: "So what? If I was president I'd do the same thing."
i agree with your observation but you really need to work on your metaphors... if you ask a human how's the air?" their reply is gonna meet your expectations, it won't be "what's air" even in the most underdeveloped nation. if you asked a fish "how's the water?" their reply, in all accuracy, will be "glub glub". the fishes would sooner ask "what is language" than "what's water" as if they know language, they would also for sure know water by then.
@00101001000000110011 You told them to work on their metaphors but then completely missed the point of the metaphor. Obviously fish can't talk. That's why it's a metaphor, it's not to be taken literally.
@@ProcyonNite i understood the point perfectly. but the same point could be made much better is all. how you missed this is beyond me... also, broken metaphors leave space open for misinterpretation, or ludicrous conclusions. hence the need for good ones. it's absolutely terrible in both philosophical terms and scientific landscapes alike to refuse criticism to your figure of speech that may have cracks just cus "hur dur its a figure of speech just get the point bro" as that hurts the dialogue instead of maintain or improve it.
Common folk stopping corrution is easier said than done as many live in denial believing their efforts dont matter or nothing will change
More true when your community is corrupt and non corrupt outside forces focus on one area of corruption by leaving you to your devices "I *demand* change by voting in the community who will deny my voice, so there will be no change; the swing states stopped their corruption, but let the corruption that's drowning me grow."
Maybes it is the lack of community and willingness to initiate cooperation, that would make sure that our needs/opinions are heard
this applies for other issues like climate change too btw
Common folk stopping corruption is easy. Just don't give money to already paid services. But wait.... you or someone dear to you got sick. And there's a waiting list longer than your/his life span. Oh... you need that document right away? Too bad... our system is so slow... Some official lost your very important papers? Oh well. We don't care because it doesn't affect us. Unless... Yep. Easy and flawless. Why didn't we think of it before?
The visual metaphors in this video are on point.
Ted-ed's advice on freedom of press is spot on. Not a coincidence that India's corruption perception ranking and freedom of press ranking fall consistently recently.
However if the government declares it misinformation, you are not allowed to say it. In the name of free speech, your speech must be censored.
Nobody will topple you if nobody could tell, in this case if the press cannot freely report corruption
@@frostincubus4045 Its a little convoluted then that. Free press is reporting about it, they just don't have the scale to reach the masses.
@@frostincubus4045well they had another cunning idea. Buy out all the major media outlets. So no more free-press complaints.
@@anuragmahawar9289 that's just the same as being unable to report, what's the point if nobody knows?
One of the best TED Ed video in 2024!!!
The visuals were so good it almost distracted from the actual message being said because I was busy being impressed.
saaame
42nd 👍
The animation was great for this one. Really enjoyed all the board game metaphors and references.
I believe genuinely that if the general population here in the U.S. was made aware just how much life in general (Taxes, Economy, the middle class, housing, utilities, infrastructure, the environment, innovation, business, wages, cost of living, social issues, the culture, etc.) would improve/ cease to be a problem if we simply *ended Corporate Lobbying and Representatives Participation in the stock market* #EndLobbying #Ende2PartySystem #EndCongressStocks
Just remove the governments power to influence the market. If the government can't give companies special benefits (like subsides) the problem would cease to exist
@@Bacon2000. That could possibly have a multiple levels of consequence including monopolistic practices, not to mention capitalism is all about getting as much as possible for as little as possible. With regulations imposed by the government there is a level of control on how companies operate. Now if you want to really twist your perception, the problem actually comes in when companies and businesses make so much money that they can influence local and national regulations, laws, and policies that directly benefits companies at the cost of workers. This can take the form of corruption, and it's the easiest to point your finger at, but in reality the majority of these bad policies and poor leadership decisions come as result of bad faith Lobbyist groups who are essentially corporate mouth pieces feeding biased information to our representatives. This trend of bad policy and obvious negative influence has been happening over the course of 60+ years, it's viciously deteriorated public trust, the culture of the country, de-incentivised expanding public services and public infrastructure, failed the school system, decimated the middle class, widened the wealth gap and pushes people into generational poverty, stagnated wages, skyrocketed the cost of living, etc. etc. Business are too Over-Powered and have systematically taken over American culture, politics, and the ability to organize and point out the root of the problem. The government, while it may not sound like it, is our best chance to reign it in as far as average Americans being able to make quick and effective changes. Basically it should be: Government = WatchDog Companies = Knife Salesman Citizen = The person with the most say with the most value to give in any given situation Right now, currently it's: Government = Legislative Auction House where you can buy laws that creatively exploit people in general Companies = A machine designed to extrapolate as much money from its patrons and workers to then invest in other Machines. Citizens = The fuel for the Machine #EndLobbying #End2PartySystem #EndCongressStocks
@@Bacon2000. Aaaaaand who would enforce that? The Government? Obviously not. Private Companies? No, they actually have a material interest to find Loopholes to do exactly that. The Citizens? Not always, they can become Complicit to the System and thus Blind to Corruption that could happen in the Background, as is illustrated.
@@Bacon2000. I'd say the opposite. Remove the corporations' power to influence the government. No lobbying, no creating fake interest groups. Though I'm not opposed to stop giving special benefits to corporations, but that comes with some problems. Giving benefits to some corporations that directly serve the people (like running a bus service or building affordable and sustainable homes) would help the general population more, as would aiding smaller companies to get some footing in businesses dominated by large corporations.
@@AnotherDuck hmmm. Well I naturally ask how would you remove a corporations ability to give a congressman money/ a gift. IDK if you seem to understand the core of the issue. A congressman is invested in stocks so thus they wanna increase the price of the stock, so they will approve bills that benefit that company. Even if you remove the companies power to "influence" (what is influencing?) a congressman their are still dozens of ways congressman will make subsidies based on their own self interest. So just make them unable to subside companies. Or benefit/disadvantage any company.
Gotta love how these "solutions" always boil down to the "freedom of the press" but never to ensuring the press doesn't become corrupt... like it is...
Just that one channel.
That's the point. You or anyone else can report things themselves and tell the story
Even today, there's still so much corruption here in South Africa 🇿🇦😢
Politicians in India 🇮🇳 (my country) will use Arthashashtra to deliver emotional appeals but none of these idiots haven’t read a single word from it, baring some things, if Arthashashtra is actually applied, solutions to chronic problems are given. It is a great book for administrators.
Glad to see that in video about corruption, people are only talking about the edits. Goes to show you what people are actually paying attention to.
To have no corruption, there must be no power to be corrupted.
The use of board games as an art style for this episodes of corruption is genius and charming
Besides delving into the depth of the video, I genuinely appreciate the editors' efforts to make the video meaningful.
I rarely comment, but the animations were so realistic and well made in this video ! I can only imagine the time it took to make
As a South African, this hit home. And the irony of it all: The former President has just been allowed to appear as a candidate to represent his new political party in parliament - if they will be voted for next month (May 29th).
I know... as if we didn't have enough stress and instability. Plus the potential for a coalition with him involved is quite concerning.
@@anabsolutetrashfire1312 I know right
Hopefully, that party gets no votes. The opponents should brand it the Corruption Party and keep saying it until it sticks.
Trust me the editor is marvelous....the use of board games he did in this video with correct movement of every little piece of it , this shows how remarkable that one human is...... one of the best animation I saw ever in my life 👏
It takes one honest person to topple a _corrupt regime._
Yeah gives me hope in this world
No, not really. Zuma is back in politics. It takes a well run anti-coruption body to allow that one voice to do anything
Haha I wish that was true
And 7 men to overthrow a government
It takes one corrupt person to topple an honest regime.
Major props to the person who did the animation and sound design
Soothing narration, Beautiful graphics and informative message. I love this
Video starts at 3:37 (You migt still wanna watch the rest of the video because the animations are awesome)
An amazing way of telling a story, visually attractive and highly entertaining, impressive work Mr ted! Keep talking!!
Its crazy how many smooth transitions the animators were able to pull off! Great video. ❤❤
I was reminded of CGP Grey's Rules for Ruler video: "Corruption is not some petty crime, but rather a tool for maintaining power." As he puts it, (at least in context of elections) you can be moral and refuse support of a hugely powerful individual in exchange for concessions, but then they will support your rival instead. "Good luck with that." I believe *some* corruption, whether in concessions, backroom deals and such, is unavoidable to gain a position of power.
Ted you are amazing! Perfectly timed!
the material, metaphor, animation, and transition are just top-notch
First! Also the animation on this channel is AMAZING. ❤❤❤ It's so creative!
😂
That's what I said to my girlfriend last night!😭
Great video, and urgently needed collection! Thank you!
oh my god, the visuals are amazing!
The animation in this video is superb! As always!
Yo the production value and creativity with presentation was off the charts
This is a great video. Especially on the uncertainty of any nation or organziation, especially large ones, can truly be corruption free and how can we know for certain.
i have never seen a video more beautifully edited on youtube
I have been watching Ted-Ed videos for years, and doing what I always do, I watched the new video. What a surprise when it started with something from my own country. Great video and content as always 😊
Great topic and great animation. This is probably one of the best ted-ed vids
damn they went all in on the visuals for this one. great informative video once again
Mcebisi Jonas is now one of the people I respect the most! His actions speak VOLUMES of his ethical integrity!
This animation is top notched. Thank You TED-Ed.
"Political parties are there to give you the illusion of choice,, you have no choice, you have owners" -George Carlin
one of my favorite youtube videos in a while!
i just noticed the "go to jail" space at 2:56 has been changed to read "gimme more" the attention to detail is immaculate here
I just learned how to play most of those board games last month, when i started to go to a Table top community in my city, now i am even more grateful of doing so since i get the references
I keep hearing about Baltimore as the day approaches when I move over there in a few months, great video. I was wondering if you could go over the Secret Laos War involving the Hmong people.
Google is always watching you 😳. lol jk it’s probably just the Baader-Meinhof effect
By Jove, the animation is simply superb!
This is one of the most creative and innovative TED-ed videos I’ve ever seen 👍
The animation was mesmerizing!
That was an amazingly well animated video. Wow.
Another masterpiece from TedEd. Keep up the good work 👍
An important message explained in clear language and amazing animation. Kudos! 👍
This video is so beautifully made!
Beautiful use of table top games!
Wow wow wow. Love the graphics/animations. ❤
Really like all the Board Game references! As a long time board game player I immediately recognise the Barrage character board and pieces.
Love the way this video is told. 👍
This is definitely top 10 Ted Ed absolute banger
Incredible presentation
the animation was amazing! kudos to the entire team, damn y'all are talented 😭
Set aside the great writing and choice of topic, the animation is really outstanding!
An update on the former president of South Africa Zuma by a South African Basically, Zuma resigned into second term around 2017 or 2018 after he became too unpopular, soon he walked in and out of court for a whole bunch of corruption charges but ended up in jail not because of the corruption but was sentenced for 15 months for contempt of court after not showing to a corruption inquiry back in 2021. However he got out early due to a medical emergency o Fast forward to January or February 2024, the ANC, current ruling party since 1994, suspended Zuma after he bad mouthed them including calling the President Ramaphosa corrupt and joined another party, the uMkhonto WeSizwe(commonly known as the MK party), which was formed less than a year before and agreed to be their face of campaigning Now Zuma should technically be disqualified after serving a prison sentence and was banned by the IEC(Independent Electoral Commission) But as of Tuesday, the Electoral court ruled in his favor after agreeing with his lawyers since he finished his sentence early meaning that he's eligible and will be contesting in the Parliamentary elections this May That's it
Very succinct and accurate update. 👌🏾
A few corrupt wealthy elites shouldn’t own and control the means of production, distribution and exchange. Workers make the world run, workers should run the world.💙🌎🏴.
If governments were to be a direct democracy (which I’m assuming is what you are saying), then there would be loads more problems, because people with extreme views would pass extreme laws and it would probably be chaos. Which is why most western countries have a republic (as opposed to a direct democracy) as their government, where the people have a say of who is in power and will hopefully choose someone who, in theory, will do what’s best for the people. And while a republic government will mean there is some corruption, there is certainly a lot less corruption in them than in a dictatorship and there is way more stability in republics than a direct democracy. So basically there’s a balance of pros and cons that have to be considered, and a when push comes to shove, a republic government does a pretty darn good job. So now it’s just about making sure we stay involved in our governments and use your vote in them to make sure you see the changes you want to see!
So close but yet so far
@ThePursuitWOD If a view is extreme, then by definition, not many would support it.
@@jorenvanderark3567 that’s not how political extremes work
@@jorenvanderark3567 right, but the problem is that the people who have the most extreme views are also the most likely to vote in a direct democracy. So unless voting is made completely mandatory, the extreme laws would be passed. But if you were to make voting mandatory then there would be the problem that no beneficial laws get passed because no individual person voting can ever be educated enough on every single issue in order to make a good votes. Which is why again, republic governments are what modern western countries have settled with because in a republic, the politician you vote for should theoretically spend all their time studying law and ethics in order to pass the best most unbiased laws for society as a whole. Of course republics aren’t perfect at doing that in practice, but then again no government is perfect and I would prefer living in a republic.
Ok, this video is GORGEOUS
these animations are INSANE
Fantastic talk and animations
The most beautiful animatian I've seen in a video. Congrats!
Please continue the video and don't stop.
Great video! Also, love that it was all classic board games, especially Codenames!
This video makes me want to play Risk again. I haven't played it since I was a kid.
Recognizing all the board games in the video made me stay engaged for the fulm of it Man, amazing
TED-Ed is what KZhead has best to offer.
As a Vietnamese, I can confirm this is one of the best Ted-ed videos i've ever watched.
Corruption is often far more subtle than straight exchange of money for favors. An example would be to gift to a politic figure and its relatives stocks in your company to create pressure into aligning interest in a less direct way. Transparency, specially nowadays where you could automatically search for this kind of patterns is really important.
Amazing editing!
corruption can be difficult to avoid as Kautilya said that it is impossible to tell that, “just as fish moving under water cannot be possibly be found either as drinking or not drinking water
One of the best animation videos i have ever seen.
this video is cleverly and artistically done
Very well made video!
Ihopefully this can be a good reference for many corrupt countries
Excellent video... well done! : )
Great video as always. 😊
this is one the best animated videos I've ever seen.
whoever made the animations, I love you
Ted Ed will never run out of animation ideas. This proves it.
Finally! A worthwhile video explaining a common, prevalent problem in third-world countries - korupsi! I thought it was just us here in Indonesia (glaring at disciplined neighbors Malaysia, Singapore and Brunei), but apparently it is also in Brazil? I saw once Progresso Corrupto somewhere or what, I forgot
Corruption can happen in the rich countries, too
Corruption is everywhere. Welcome to the real world.
_"...a common, prevalent problem in every single society ever to exist."_ I fixed it for you.
The animation is so satisfying! 😍
The content of the video is great, but hats off for the animators, and visuals in general.
jetpropulsion is making our 2024 even better!
Wow, the animation is top notch!! 👏🏼
Amazing narrator and visuals
Loved all the board game references! Jonas really pulled the uno reverse card there, missed opportunity to include that game lol
Nice and simple explanation