BBC News: Worst corruption offenders named (US #17, France#18)

[Up2Late]

(US #17, but look at our top trading partners in the Transparency International press release link below article, kind of scary.)

Tuesday, 18 October 2005, 08:32 GMT 09:32 UK

Worst corruption offenders named

Corruption is on the rise in some rich countries as well as poorer ones, research by anti-corruption watchdog Transparency International suggests.

The group's Corruption Perceptions Index labels Bangladesh and Chad as the most corrupt places on the planet. The situation worsened in countries such as Costa Rica, Russia and Sri Lanka - as well as Canada and Ireland. But nations where perceptions of corruption are declining include Hong Kong, Turkey and even Nigeria.

TI's survey asks businesspeople, academics and public officials about how countries they live in or do business with are perceived. The results are used to gauge how corrupt public officials are. The CPI does not deal directly with private-sector corruption.

Usual suspects?

At both the top of the list and the bottom, the index shows little change from 2004. Topping the list, the cleanest countries are Iceland, Finland and New Zealand, with Switzerland not far behind. The UK is equal 11th with the Netherlands, with the US back at 17.

<http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/4351076.stm>
(more at link above)

<http://ww1.transparency.org/cpi/2005/cpi2005_infocus.html>

<http://ww1.transparency.org/>

[SpiralHawk]

1. USA more corrupt than France? OMG

Bring on the Freedom Fries !

[Up2Late]

2. Actually, the list is reversed, least corrupt equals #1, most corrupt...

...equal #158. The US is 1/10th of a point less corrupt than France, so basically the same.

[SpiralHawk]

7. OK, now I'm confused. Do I want French or Freedom Fries?

The destiny of the world seems to depend on this decision, and I so so want to be Patriotic.

Maybe I'll just get some onion rings. You know, simplify life and all that.

[Up2Late]

8. You could just confuse everyone and call them "Frit," that's what they...

...are called in France. BTW, they were actually invented in Belgium.

<http://www.cia.gov/cia/publications/factbook/geos/be.html>

[mwooldri]

3. Actually no, USA is less corrupt than France.

But not by much. The lower the number the less corrupt. At #17, the US is less corrupt than France at #18. As an ex-pat Brit I am pleased to see the UK at #11 (but of course it could be better). The Canadians are more transparent at #14. Pity those in Mexico. They're more corrupt in Mexico than in Cuba. The 'cleanest' country nearest to us apart from Canada is Barbados.

Seems to me the least corrupt countries are those who are more heavily influenced by NW European culture.

Mark.

[Maraya1969]

5. Welcome to DU Mark!

:applause: :applause: :applause: :applause:

[sofa king]

4. See? We really are better than the French.

I'm sorry, "the Freedom."

[daleo]

6. For what it is worth:

"Thanks to significant funding from the Ford Foundation....
Modest start-up funding had come from the Rowntree Trust and Nuffield thanks to the efforts of Laurence Cockcroft."

"How is TI financed?

TI values its independence very highly, and we maintain it through the transparency of our funding and the diversity of our sources. The bulk of TI's income comes from government development agency budgets and foundations. Other sources of income include project funds from international organisations, donations from private sector companies and income from honoraria and publications. By not relying on just one source, TI is able to maintain its independence. In order to guarantee financial independence, TI is planning to set up an endowment fund. For further information on our finances, please see How TI is financed.

TI's National Chapters are financed independently from the international TI movement. This means that, with few and strictly limited exceptions, TI neither contributes to the budgets of its National Chapters, nor is it funded by them. Sources of income of National Chapters include membership fees, donations from individuals and corporations, court-imposed fines and project funds from donor agencies and governments."

[Uncle Joe]

9. The U.S. more corrupt than France, does this mean

we should change the name of American Cheese to freedom cheese?

[Up2Late]

10. No, "American Cheese" should be named...

..."American Cheese type product," and don't even get me started on the "Light" American Cheese Singles, Yuck.

[0007]

11. I agree, Yuck.