]OOC EDIT: This was submitted and put well over quorum, but has been removed to make some minor changes since no one comes to draft these things despite numerous bumps until after submission and campaigning has occurred. <.<
I thank the ambassadors for giving my draft attention. In numerous small nations, like mine, it can be difficult to fight large corporations originating in other nations from corrupting our governments. Inspectors sent to check that all laws are being followed end up bribed or offered higher paying jobs once the illegal project is completed if the inspector just stays quiet.
We are very sympathetic to nations that are not as advanced or rich as our nation, if we were not so well off in those categories on top of being small, it would likely be a losing fight. Often, these corporations stand to make double the revenues through illegally exploiting the resources of these nations than the impoverished nation's government will make in taxes. Increased punishments and investigations are useful, but without the support of the corporation's host nation it often is easier for corporations to essentially buy nearly the entire government than follow the laws. And at that point, the citizens of the nation have no chance of defending their interests, they become helpless actors in the state, no matter what polices they elect people to enact, the policy won't be enforced unless it benefits or fails to harm the corporations. The people's interest just loses in those cases. The World Assembly should stand up to end this corruption that can be so powerful inside developing nations!
We are very sympathetic to nations that are not as advanced or rich as our nation, if we were not so well off in those categories on top of being small, it would likely be a losing fight. Often, these corporations stand to make double the revenues through illegally exploiting the resources of these nations than the impoverished nation's government will make in taxes. Increased punishments and investigations are useful, but without the support of the corporation's host nation it often is easier for corporations to essentially buy nearly the entire government than follow the laws. And at that point, the citizens of the nation have no chance of defending their interests, they become helpless actors in the state, no matter what polices they elect people to enact, the policy won't be enforced unless it benefits or fails to harm the corporations. The people's interest just loses in those cases. The World Assembly should stand up to end this corruption that can be so powerful inside developing nations!
Against CorruptionThe General Assembly,
A resolution to restrict political freedoms in the interest of law and order.
Category: Political Stability | Strength: Significant | Proposed by: Weed
Seeing bribery as a major problem plaguing poor or developing nations, where major corporations can reward leaders or people in authority for abandoning their nation's interest,
Realizing the enforcing of laws that attempt to protect natural habitat, public safety, and the common good in these nations can be nearly impossible when powerful organizations with extensive resources seek to violate them,
Observing organizations frequently avoid the bad publicity of bribing by contracting third parties, possibly disguised as interpreters or negotiators,
Seeking to improve the ability of poorer or developing nations to protect their people and resources through law,
Defining, for the purposes of this resolution, bribery as the act of offering a gift to any public official, officer, agent, or employee with the expectation the gift will motivate the person to decide to take or not take a specific action, when that action or inaction conflicts with a good faith performance or fulfillment of the officials duties, responsibilities, or privileges of the person's job or positions,
Clarifying there shall be no difference legally between a person or organization directly offering a bribe, and contracting a person or entity which engages in bribery, unless the contracting nation clearly indicated bribery was not acceptable,
Defining, for the purposes of this resolution, gifts as money, assets, favours, services, future employment, or anything which the receiver considers to have value,
Mandates all member states make the act of bribery an illegal action for a business, citizen, or non-state organization or entity to participate in, with heavy fines for organizations found to be in violation,
Forbids the government or government agents of any member state from participating in bribery for monetary gain, or economic interests,
Further forbids government agents from making a good faith performance of their duties contingent on the receipt of a gift,
Declares that the member states shall deem it illegal for an officer or official of the government to accept a bribe,
Strongly urges nations to:
- demand officers and officials report attempted bribes,
- create regulations discouraging or ending the practice of businesses compensating negotiators more or only if a certain end is met in a negotiation as the practice can encourage bribery,
- require disclosure of spending and contracts of major corporations operating within their nation, which may be most likely to participate in bribery within their nation or any other nation, and the investigation of any highly compensated interpreters or negotiators in important negotiations,
- consider requiring the reporting or investigating of the finances of political leaders, to check for suspicious income.
On one final note, attached to this summary I'm going to include a statement about what I'm assuming some of the objections/questions/comments that I predict to come, as well as my response. Please look these over before responding! They may give you information as to what my response is going to be to what you are concerned about!
Clinton Tew
WA Ambassador from Weed
