8 min readConcept sheetSection A MCQ (1 mark) and objective (2 marks, two parts); Section B very short answer (2 marks) and short answer (3 marks)

Corruption, criminalisation of politics and political violence

Corruption and the criminalisation of politics reduce trust in government and in fair elections; political violence makes things worse.

CorruptionMisuse of public power or money for private gain, at political, bureaucratic and corporate levels

Criminalisation of politicsPeople with criminal backgrounds or methods entering politics and using violence to win elections

Corruption Perceptions IndexA yearly ranking of countries by Transparency International; check recent figures for India's rank

Political violenceUse of force for political ends, such as communal, caste and election violence

Corruption

Corruption is the misuse of public power or money for private gain. The lesson finds it in land, health, education, business, transport, the police and more.
It works at three levels: political, bureaucratic (government officials) and corporate (business).
A nexus, a close and hidden link, between some politicians, officials and industrialists breeds corrupt deals.
Bribing voters at elections is a serious form of it.
Corruption is a sign of institutional decay. It weakens people's faith in fair governance.
Each citizen can help by refusing to give or take bribes at any level.

Criminalisation of politics

Criminalisation of politics means people with a criminal background, or criminal methods, entering politics. Such people use violence and muscle power and other undemocratic means to win elections. This is the opposite of democratic values. The judiciary has taken note and ordered checks, and governments have taken steps. For example, candidates must declare any criminal cases against them when they file their nomination. As voters, citizens can refuse to support candidates with a criminal background.

Political violence (also in the lesson)

Communal riots are often stirred up by people with political, religious or economic motives.
Caste violence grows from competition for power between castes, and from a backlash against Dalits who assert their rights.
At elections, violence is used to force voters, or to stop them from voting.
Violence has also come with demands for new states or changed state borders, and with some strikes, farmers' movements and student agitations.

Peaceful protest vs political violence

Peaceful protestMeetings, petitions, satyagraha and peaceful demonstrations. A democratic right, used to draw the government's attention.

Political violenceRiots, attacks and threats used for political ends. It destroys life and property and denies others their rights.

Protest is part of democracy; violence is a threat to it.

In real life

The Right to Information Act, 2005 lets any citizen ask a government office how money was spent. Refusing to pay a bribe for a certificate, or reporting vote-buying to the election authorities, are everyday ways to fight corruption.

Exam angle

2 marks: “What is meant by criminalisation of politics?” It means people with a criminal background or criminal methods entering politics and using violence, muscle power and other undemocratic means to win elections. It goes against democratic values.

2 marks: “Name the three levels at which corruption exists in India, according to the lesson.” Political, bureaucratic (government officials) and corporate (business). A nexus of some politicians, officials and industrialists feeds it.

1 marks: “Which organisation publishes the Corruption Perceptions Index?” Transparency International.

Remember it

Three Cs that rot democracy: Corruption (money), Criminals (muscle), Clashes (violence).