Corruption is a timeless phenomenon prevalent throughout the world in various level and scope. In general, corruption is “the abuse of entrusted power for private gain” (Transparency International 2014). Corruption covers a broad range of human action, therefore, there is no universal “one line” definition of corruption (Philps 1997). Phenomenon of corruption is deep-rooted in every human society. It is as old as organized human life and as old as government itself (Klitgaard 1988). “Corruption is a cross-temporal, crosss-systemic and cross-cultural phenomenon” (Farrales 2005). It can exist under any form of government, in any country or state, and at any time. Due to the nature and extent of its effect on an economy, society or a political system, there has been enormous research and study on understanding corruption from all parties-- academia, non-governmental and governmental institutions. Social and political scientists begin their analysis based on the idea that “man is by nature a political animal.” However, from biological point of view, human behavior is product of an interactive relationship between biology and its surrounding environment (Garland and Carter 1994; Hatemi and McDermott 2011). Evolutionary biology/physiology, genetics, and psychology together with surrounding environment determines individual’s behavior. This preliminary study is an exploration into the possibility of link between intrinsic human behavior and evolutionary biology in an attempt to explain some corruption behavior.
Evolutionary Physiology as a Deductive-NomologicalModel of
Corruption Behavior
Preliminary Study on Evolutionary Physiology as a
Deductive-NomologicalModel of Corruption BehaviorDesh Raj SonyokNew
Mexico State UniversityLas Cruces, NM
This is not a purely research, rather a open debate or
discussionOutlineBackgroundMotivationHypothesisEvolutionary
physiologyAnalogy to corruption
behaviorSummary/ConclusionReferenceWhat is Corruptions?
Photo: Hamin Lee (http://www.canadianbusiness.com)Defining
CorruptionNo universal one line definition (Philps 1997)Moralists
vs RevisionistsTypes: Public corruption and Private
corruptionClassification (World
Bank):BriberyNepotismClientelismEmbezzlementFraudExtortion
Types of corruption in NepalCorruption of budget: large scale,
influence regional to national development activities. Involvement
of politician, top level bureaucrats, contractorCorruption on
revenue: involvement of low high profile bureaucrats, business
owner, tax payersService related corruption: bribery in offices,
public right is denied forcing them to pay money (bribe) in order
to receive lawful service, receiving unlawful service by bribing
officials
History of Corruption: Timeless PhenomenonAdam, Eve and serpent
(Bible: Genesis 3, verses 1 12)
The Arthashastra by Kautilya (~2400 yrs ago)
Corruption is as old as organized human life and as old as
government itself (Klitgaard 1988)
Corruption is a cross-temporal, crosss-ystemic and
cross-cultural phenomenon. It can exist under any form of
government, in any country or state, and at any time (Farrales
2005)
Motivation: Nepal Corruption Perceptions Index (2013):Rank:
116/177 Score: 31/100
Note: 0 (highly corrupt) to 100 (very clean)
*Below 50 points indicate corrupted oneFitness: Workout, Food,
and Metabolism
Research Hypothesis and ObjectivesCorruption behavior resulting
from need base or perceived survival insecurity can be explained
with an analogy of fat storage metabolism linked to evolutionary
physiology
Main purpose of this presentation is to offer some tentative
suggestions on evolutionary aspects of human behavior/corruption
behavior
Deductive ArgumentSource:
http://www.loyno.edu/~folse/DeducNom.htmlStatement of Initial
ConditionsStatement of Laws & TheoriesStatement
DescribingExplained Phenomena10Evolutionary Physiology: Organismal
Performance ParadigmGarland and Carter (1994)
Evolutionary Physiology"thrifty" genotypes (Neel 1962)
feastfamine conditions in the past 2.5 million years of
humanpaleolithichistorythrifty genes are genes which enable
individuals to efficiently collect and process food to deposit fat
during periods of food abundanceadvantageous
forhunter-gathererpopulationsdetrimental in the modern world due
food abundancethrifty metabolism capable of efficiently storing
excess dietary energy as body fat when food was abundant would have
provided a survival advantage during later periods of shortage. In
the wake of the rapid dietary and lifestyle change in recent
generations, and the comparatively slow pace of genetic change,
these foraging-adapted genes would now be rendered detrimental by
progress (Neel, 1962), leading to obesity and
diabetes.Evolutionarily Programmed Biochemical Cycles
Figure: Mechanism of thrifty gene (Unger 2004)Principle of fat
loss
??? I eat only twice a dayI eat 3 - 6 small meals a dayHigher
eating frequency was associated with lower body weight(Kaisari et
al 2013)
Feed at regular intervals send a signal to the body that it
doesn't have to store calories
Need Theorists' Point of View (Maslow, 1954)
PHYSIOLOGICALFood, water, shelterSAFETYSecurity, Stability,
Freedom SOCIAL BELONGING/LOVEFriends, family, Spouse, LoverSELF -
ESTEEMSELF - ACTUALIZATIONPursue inner talentCreativity
fulfillmentAchievement, MasteryRecognition RespectPsychoanalytic
Perspective (Ogunleye, 2012)Humans are driven by two biological
instincts (Freud, 1933):
Life instincts: relates with the motive to survive against all
odds and the fulfillment of other bodily needDeath instincts: a
destructive force in all human beings
Id, Ego and SuperegoCPI vs GDP Per Capita3 or less: corrupt
country(Transparency Intl 2008)Corruption Behavior: Triggering
Factor Biologically human beings are built to be triggered into
survival mode
Insufficient/underpayment could be perceived as a survival
risk
Food availability, metabolism, and fat storage for future
survival
Due to uncertain future corrupt actors weigh benefits of
corruption against its costs
Summary/ConclusionsHuman behavior is a complex product of
social, psychological, and physiological interactionNo previous
study on effect of physiology on psychology relating to corruption
behaviorEvolutionary physiology specifically food availability and
fat metabolism in human is analogous to corruption behavior in
developing countries associated with underpayment and survival
insecurityReferenceCrippen T (1992). An evolutionary critique of
cultural analysis in sociology. Human Nature, Vol 3
(4),379-412Garland, T., Jr. and Carter P. A. (1994). Evolutionary
physiology. Annual Review of Physiology 56:579-621Goel, R. K.,
& Rich, D. P. (1989). On the economic incentives for taking
bribes. Public Choice, 61(3), 269275.Klitgaard, R (1988).
Controlling Corruption. Berkeley: University of California
PressKuzawa CW (2010). Beyond feast-famine: brain evolution, human
life history and the metabolic syndrome, InEvolutionary
Anthropology, M Muehlenbein (ed), Cambridge University Press. pp.
518-527Maslow, A. H. (1954).Motivation and Personality. New York:
Harper and RowNeel JV (1962)."Diabetes Mellitus: A "Thrifty"
Genotype Rendered Detrimental by "Progress"?".Am. J. Hum.
Genet.14(4): 35362Ogunleye A.J. (2012). Corruption and Development
in Nigeria A Psychological Perspective. Global Journal of Human
Social Science Arts &Humanit, Vol 12(9)Philp, M (1997).
Defining Political Corruption. In Heywood, Paul (ed.) 1997.
Political Corruption. Oxford: Blackwell
Thank you
