Politics and Development: Down the Great Drains: A Sociological Discourse of the Entangle and Challenges of Corruption and Development in Nigeria

Abstract

The drains in human and material resources and the challenges posed by corruption to socio- economic development, particularly in third World countries have remained an indelible enigma. The economic growth rates in industrially developed economies of the North and recently, the Asian Tigers are rising geometrically while the per
capita income in the developing economies have either been declining, constant or have risen at negligible rates. Major causes of this development status are traced to the inability of the developing countries, particularly in Africa to insist on standards of authentic and knowledge leadership, problems of insecurity, fear of investment and
dearth of enabling structures for development. Corruption has been seen to be at the centre of this cataclysmic crisis of development. It dampens the spirit of identification, commitment, entrepreneurship, patriotism and nationalism. It commits the citizenry to a socio-psychological duel in their efforts for survival. This paper uses three paradigms to explain this duel. It suggests a reform redirected at the cultural values of material acquisition, a holistic fight on corruption, adoption of transparency in governance, use of critical agenda and local organizations for micro-economic stability to counter the effects of corruption and underdevelopment.