What purpose does this thread have other than to expose the fact that your main points (in red) slant towards the championing of pseudo-democracy?Originally posted by oxford mushroom:The Corruption Perception Index (CPI) is compiled by Transparency International, a global civil society organisation dedicated to the fight against corruption. It is well respected globally and its survey findings are quoted by the BBC (http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/3567745.stm) and national governments (http://www.senate.gov.ph/publications/AG%202006-04%20-%20Corruption%20Facts%20and%20Figures.pdf).
The higher the CPI, the lower the experience of corruption among those surveyed. In its latest published figures for 2006 (http://www.transparency.org/news_room/in_focus/cpi_2006/cpi_table), the CPI for Singapore is the fifth globally at 9.4, after Finland and Iceland (tied at first place), New Zealand and Denmark; putting Singapore ahead of Sweden (6th), Australia (9th), UK (11th), Hong Kong (15th), USA (20th), Taiwan (34th) and South Korea (42nd). Singapore has the highest CPI score of all the Asean nations, with the next highest being Malaysia (44th), Thailand (63rd) and Vietnam (111th).
The Philippines, arguably the most democratic of Asean nations has a dismally low score of 2.5 at 121st position.
Corruption exists in every nation but it can be curbed by stringent laws, strong political will by a clean government, upright judiciary and efficient administration. As illustrated by the experience of the Philippines, western democracy does not translate into a clean government. They have had a liberal democracy for years, brought in by the Americans. Yet their graduates have no jobs, their women have to work as your maids, and their nation still remains poor and corrupt-ridden.
Democracy does not produce wealth, good governance does.
How can Finland or Iceland be first?Originally posted by googoomuck:Fifth place is not good enough. Singapore must be first, must aim high.
Once the ministers' salaries are cut by half, Singapore can surge ahead of Finland and Iceland, or at least tie with them at first place.
the answer is simple enough... water always flows from the higher level so we have the likes of offsprings to demand you to get out of their elite faces lorOriginally posted by charlize:How can Finland or Iceland be first?
Their ministers are not drawing million dollar salaries.
That's the point. What I should say is once OUR ministers cut their salaries by half, then we can tie with Finland, Iceland or even surge ahead these countries.Originally posted by charlize:How can Finland or Iceland be first?
Their ministers are not drawing million dollar salaries.
or perhaps...the big cases of corruption/nepotism had been legalised.Originally posted by croco2006:cos many cases are not detected....
Originally posted by nismoS132:its called selective posting
[b]Ranked 12th in Bribe Payers Index
However, in another ranking conducted by Transparency International, Singapore did not fare that well.
Here's the review:
"In Asia, strong domestic anti-corruption measures at home are not consistently translating into responsible business practices abroad, especially for Singapore, Hong Kong and Taiwan. They are assessed significantly worse by respondents from non-OECD countries – the same divide is evident for the United Arab Emirates – indicating a sharp double standard in business practices. "
http://www.transparency.org/news_room/in_focus/2006/bpi_2006
both articles go hand in hand. why report only half the story?[/b]
Originally posted by nismoS132:Stringent domestic policies to curb corruption makes Singapore attractive to foreign investors. If local businesses gives out 'discounts' in return for business opportunities (which would constitute corruption at home), the damage, if any, is not done to Singapore but the foreign nation.
[b]Ranked 12th in Bribe Payers Index
However, in another ranking conducted by Transparency International, Singapore did not fare that well.
Here's the review:
"In Asia, strong domestic anti-corruption measures at home are not consistently translating into responsible business practices abroad, especially for Singapore, Hong Kong and Taiwan. They are assessed significantly worse by respondents from non-OECD countries – the same divide is evident for the United Arab Emirates – indicating a sharp double standard in business practices. "
http://www.transparency.org/news_room/in_focus/2006/bpi_2006
both articles go hand in hand. why report only half the story?[/b]
TI's reports matter to foreign investors. The other two are more concerned with human rights issues.Originally posted by LazerLordz:So Transparency International's reports are trustworthy but Reporters Sans Frontieres and Amnesty International's reports are not?
Seems like a case of selective reporting, after all, all three NGOs are well-respected worldwide.
Choosing one element and discounting others, is nothing more than hypocrisy.
Human rights are one component of the international political economy that does matter in the long run. Look at the mess stirred up by Cisco Systems in their supply of backend hardware to the Chinese authorities that have Congress planning to introduce a Bill that aims to move FDI away from unfettered economic focus towards a more social and ethical model.Originally posted by oxford mushroom:TI's reports matter to foreign investors. The other two are more concerned with human rights issues.
A question for you: does China's human rights record prevent any foreign companies from investing in it? Case closed.
And in a similar vein, so is the understanding of what constitutes human rights to groups such as Amnesty International. Their narrow perception of freedom and human rights is not suitable for all societies and is targeted carefully for a leftist audience.Originally posted by LazerLordz:The TI index is based on perception, and perception is one element that has been tweaked to the advantage of certain groups, not to mention a reaction and not a resistance to policies that are meant to formulate this antithesis of in situ transparency, which may be anachronistic because of the unique situation Singapore is in. Our degree of transparency, and the access to it, is targeted carefully for a specific audience.
Is the 'OXYGEN' that is essentail for HUMANS to 'LIVE' - any different from one society - or race, or ethnic group - to that from another ?Originally posted by oxford mushroom:And in a similar vein, so is the understanding of what constitutes human rights to groups such as Amnesty International. Their narrow perception of freedom and human rights is not suitable for all societies and is targeted carefully for a leftist audience.
Originally posted by Atobe:BRAVO!
Is the [b]'OXYGEN' that is essentail for HUMANS to 'LIVE' - any different from one society - or race, or ethnic group - to that from another ?
Mushrooms can survive under different environment, but will also need the same basic element to survive and grow.
Like Humans, MUSHROOMS also need 'OXYGEN' to LIVE.
Unfortunately for all other species, Mushrooms are parasitical by nature, and can probaly survive without 'oxygen', as it can draw its strength from the other species that it leeches on to.
Do HUMANS grow under similar circumstances ?
It is totally disingenious for MUSHROOMS to pretend to be able to understand HUMANKIND, and will dare even to pass judgment on more superior species.
Can the Political System in Singapore be comparable to the other countries which it frequently compares itself - with such audacity ?
The First World Countries such as Finland, Iceland, Denmark, Sweden, Australia, UK, Japan and even the USA are established DEMOCRACIES when compared to Singapore - are their circumstances comparable to us ?
Do stringent laws prevent corruption, when the Lawmakers can and will approve LAWS that can legitimise their own 'acts of thieving raids on the National Reserves', while at the same time will legislate the same acts to be illegal when done by other Political Parties ?
While one can maintain the form and the semblance of good Government, do the substance of good government exist - when good government should result in a blessed and contented society, in which poverty that drives citizens to suicide will be rare occurence ?
Can this be said of Singapore ?
Are the jobless citizens from those First World Countries - with more tolerant and liberal democracies - also requiring their Citizens to migrate overseas to work at menial jobs - like the Filippinos ?
If 'DEMOCRACY' does not produce wealth, how should one explain the financial strength of the First World Countries that Singapore is compared to - some of which have smaller population than Singapore ?
Can we trust a Mushroom for any critical thinking ?
[/b]