Corruption and autocracy

• Russia: 136
• Kenya: 128
• India: 85
• South Africa: 70
• China: 66
• USA: 27
• Australia: 18 (down from 13)
• New Zealand and Denmark: 1

The West is not completely innocent, however. Although Western countries are generally ranked lower on the CPI, they are still somewhat complicit in other countries' corruption. Their banking systems have made it easy to transfer money around the world. Then there are tax breaks. For example, if you're a UK resident, you'll normally pay tax on your foreign income – but not necessarily if your permanent home ('domicile') is abroad. The Olycrooks would love this arrangement! They'd happily use it to invest in property in the UK.There are other numerous 'tax avoidance schemes' all around the world.

So what now?

The war in Ukraine, as well as our understanding of the trends described above, are having several consequences:

• Globalisation. In the past, globalisation has had many benefits, in that it has kept inflation at a low level. However, many democracies will now be reviewing the countries with which they do business. For example, do they wish to risk being held hostage by an autocratic regime (e.g. Russia believing it can hold Germany hostage because of Germany's dependence on Russian gas)?
• Supply chain issues. These have arisen due to the pandemic and exacerbated by the war in Ukraine. Supply chain issues means that many countries will now review their strategic requirements and make changes to address these. (In the case of Australia, the supply of critical medicines is certainly one issue to be addressed).
• Food shortages. Ukraine and Russia usually provide large quantities of wheat for Africa and the Middle East, the supply of which is already being disrupted. In addition, Africa has had a disrupted planting season due to the pandemic, so there are now likely to be significant food shortages in many countries. This will result in an increasing number of desperate refugees trying to gain entry to Western democracies (the USA from South America, Europe from Africa and the Middle East, and Australia from parts of Asia).

Ultimately, most communities around the world agree that war is an abomination to be ended and never repeated. However, how many of us truly appreciate the extent of ongoing corruption around the world, and how much it affects all of us?

It is my hope that this article can at least inspire more thought and insight.