The world responded to corruption like never before in 2011 as regimes throughout the Mid-East fell and citizens demanded greater rights.
But the response did little to change the number of corrupt countries occupying the map.
This year's gold-standard of corruption studies, the Corrupt Perceptions Index, has been released and it pegs corruption in the countries of the world on a scale of 1 to 10 — from most corrupt — to the least.
#10 Venezuela's corruption began with the discovery of oil
The discovery of mass amounts of oil in Venezuela hastened its slide into corruption and by the 1970s the petroleum sucked from the ground was called "the Devil's excrement" by Venezuelans. Hugo Chavez's election to president in 1999 did nothing to slow the corruption. His Fifth Republic Movement is accused of cronyism, political patronage, and corruption just like the movement his party promised to replace. Even the Venezuelan police force is recognized for its drastic levels of corruption.
But the response did little to change the number of corrupt countries occupying the map.
This year's gold-standard of corruption studies, the Corrupt Perceptions Index, has been released and it pegs corruption in the countries of the world on a scale of 1 to 10 — from most corrupt — to the least.
#10 Venezuela's corruption began with the discovery of oil
The discovery of mass amounts of oil in Venezuela hastened its slide into corruption and by the 1970s the petroleum sucked from the ground was called "the Devil's excrement" by Venezuelans. Hugo Chavez's election to president in 1999 did nothing to slow the corruption. His Fifth Republic Movement is accused of cronyism, political patronage, and corruption just like the movement his party promised to replace. Even the Venezuelan police force is recognized for its drastic levels of corruption.
Venezuela ranks 172 out of 182 countries and earned a score of 1.9 out of 10.
#9 Haiti is plagued by impenetrable bureaucracy
Haiti ranks 175 out of 182 countries and earned a score of 1.8 out of 10.
The immobilizing amount of "red tape" in the Haitian legal system enables local politicians and bureaucrats to gain influence and and direct public outcomes for financial gain.
The result has debilitated Haitian society and placed the country consistently at the top of the corruption list.
The $2 billion that came into the country following the 2010 earthquake did little to alleviate corruption and meandering bureaucracy.
#8 Iraq goes out of its way to silence whistleblowers
Iraq ranks 175 out of 182 countries and earned a score of 1.8 out of 10.
The Iraq government is so entrenched in its rampant pattern of corruption since the fall of Saddam Hussein that it removes officials who try to prosecute racketeers.
Members of the government also intimidate politicians and journalists who support whistleblowers.
As recently as September 2011 a renown Iraqi journalist was murdered in his home for leading anti-government protests.
#7 Money for Sudan's development ends in private hands and in foreign banks
Sudan ranks 177 out of 182 countries and earned a score of 1.6 out of 10.
Sudan's new president Salva Kir is being pushed to stop the mass pilfering of development money that comes into the Sudan meant to help rebuild the war ravaged country.
Since gaining self-rule in 2005 not one official has been prosecuted for corruption, despite there being a commission assigned specifically to the task.
#6 The 69 years Turkmenistan spent in the Soviet Union has led to totalitarian control
Turkmenistan ranks 177 out of 182 countries and earned a score of 1.6 out of 10.
Though Turkmenistan declared its independence in 1991, the country just made moves to open up the country in 2006.
The country also labors under immense human rights abuses and residents face severe restrictions anytime they try leaving the country.
Turkmenistan has the 3rd worse freedom of the press, and is the 10th most censored country in the world.
#5 Uzbekistan's top officials reap all the benefits from rich resources
Uzbekistan ranks 177 out of 182 countries and earned a score of 1.6 out of 10.
The government is rich in resources, but doesn't allow for independent private sector growth, keeping control of everything.
A WikiLeak letter condemns former Prince Michael for "rampant corruption" and "organized crime." The authoritarian government is often cited as the root of the corruption problems.
Part of its anti-corruption drive shut down 100 supermarkets and manufacturing businesses. But according a local businessman, there's been "no progress in the battle against corruption. The country and its society are corrupted through and through."
#4 Afghanistan's citizens consider government kickbacks normal
Afghanistan ranks 180 out of 182 countries and earned a score of 1.9 out of 10.
In 2010, people from Afghanistan paid $2.5 billion in bribes, and nearly half the population has paid the government kickbacks.
Kickbacks are so common that 38 percent of citizens think its normal. Even meeting with a politician implies giving a kickback 40 percent of the time.
#3 Myanmar's corruption stems from its logs, gold, and drugs
Myanmar ranks 180 out of 182 countries and earned a score of 1.5 out of 10.
Its rich natural resources and drug rings have led widespread corruption in all of Southeast Asia. It is often seen as the root of problems in the Golden Triangle.
The country is full of internal ethnic violence and has been isolated most of the developed world because of human rights issues. But it still engages in illegal resource deals with nearby nations like China.
Clinton's visit there this week is the first one in over 50 years.
#2 North Korea's officials drink imported Coke while its citizens die from starvation
North Korea ranks 182 out of 182 countries and earned a score of 1 out of 10.
North Korea is little transparency, but just getting there usually requires large bribes. Most of the testimonies come from refugees from the country, most of whom paid bribes to escape.
A Chinese national who snuck in and out of the country told RFA, "In some places in North Korea people are starving to death, but railway security agents wear Seiko watches and smoke [Craven A] cigarettes."
#1 Somalia has been a proxy battleground for nations for years
Somalia ranks 182 out of 182 countries and earned a score of 1 out of 10.
Foreign countries such as the US and USSR who used the country as a battleground for political ideologies helped drive corruption by backing particular clans or groups.
U.S. funding really helped the Siad Barre regime, which really took government corruption to the next level. After the regime fled in 1991, the country is essentially lawless and ruled by clans, warlords, and militia groups.
Even some NGOs giving Somalia millions are actually splitting the money between the NGOs and the the signing government officials.
#9 Haiti is plagued by impenetrable bureaucracy
Haiti ranks 175 out of 182 countries and earned a score of 1.8 out of 10.
The immobilizing amount of "red tape" in the Haitian legal system enables local politicians and bureaucrats to gain influence and and direct public outcomes for financial gain.
The result has debilitated Haitian society and placed the country consistently at the top of the corruption list.
The $2 billion that came into the country following the 2010 earthquake did little to alleviate corruption and meandering bureaucracy.
#8 Iraq goes out of its way to silence whistleblowers
Iraq ranks 175 out of 182 countries and earned a score of 1.8 out of 10.
The Iraq government is so entrenched in its rampant pattern of corruption since the fall of Saddam Hussein that it removes officials who try to prosecute racketeers.
Members of the government also intimidate politicians and journalists who support whistleblowers.
As recently as September 2011 a renown Iraqi journalist was murdered in his home for leading anti-government protests.
#7 Money for Sudan's development ends in private hands and in foreign banks
Sudan ranks 177 out of 182 countries and earned a score of 1.6 out of 10.
Sudan's new president Salva Kir is being pushed to stop the mass pilfering of development money that comes into the Sudan meant to help rebuild the war ravaged country.
Since gaining self-rule in 2005 not one official has been prosecuted for corruption, despite there being a commission assigned specifically to the task.
#6 The 69 years Turkmenistan spent in the Soviet Union has led to totalitarian controlTurkmenistan ranks 177 out of 182 countries and earned a score of 1.6 out of 10.
Though Turkmenistan declared its independence in 1991, the country just made moves to open up the country in 2006.
The country also labors under immense human rights abuses and residents face severe restrictions anytime they try leaving the country.
Turkmenistan has the 3rd worse freedom of the press, and is the 10th most censored country in the world.
#5 Uzbekistan's top officials reap all the benefits from rich resources
Uzbekistan ranks 177 out of 182 countries and earned a score of 1.6 out of 10.
The government is rich in resources, but doesn't allow for independent private sector growth, keeping control of everything.
A WikiLeak letter condemns former Prince Michael for "rampant corruption" and "organized crime." The authoritarian government is often cited as the root of the corruption problems.
Part of its anti-corruption drive shut down 100 supermarkets and manufacturing businesses. But according a local businessman, there's been "no progress in the battle against corruption. The country and its society are corrupted through and through."
#4 Afghanistan's citizens consider government kickbacks normal
Afghanistan ranks 180 out of 182 countries and earned a score of 1.9 out of 10.
In 2010, people from Afghanistan paid $2.5 billion in bribes, and nearly half the population has paid the government kickbacks.
Kickbacks are so common that 38 percent of citizens think its normal. Even meeting with a politician implies giving a kickback 40 percent of the time.
#3 Myanmar's corruption stems from its logs, gold, and drugs
Myanmar ranks 180 out of 182 countries and earned a score of 1.5 out of 10.
Its rich natural resources and drug rings have led widespread corruption in all of Southeast Asia. It is often seen as the root of problems in the Golden Triangle.
The country is full of internal ethnic violence and has been isolated most of the developed world because of human rights issues. But it still engages in illegal resource deals with nearby nations like China.
Clinton's visit there this week is the first one in over 50 years.
#2 North Korea's officials drink imported Coke while its citizens die from starvation
North Korea ranks 182 out of 182 countries and earned a score of 1 out of 10.
North Korea is little transparency, but just getting there usually requires large bribes. Most of the testimonies come from refugees from the country, most of whom paid bribes to escape.
A Chinese national who snuck in and out of the country told RFA, "In some places in North Korea people are starving to death, but railway security agents wear Seiko watches and smoke [Craven A] cigarettes."
#1 Somalia has been a proxy battleground for nations for years
Somalia ranks 182 out of 182 countries and earned a score of 1 out of 10.
Foreign countries such as the US and USSR who used the country as a battleground for political ideologies helped drive corruption by backing particular clans or groups.
U.S. funding really helped the Siad Barre regime, which really took government corruption to the next level. After the regime fled in 1991, the country is essentially lawless and ruled by clans, warlords, and militia groups.
Even some NGOs giving Somalia millions are actually splitting the money between the NGOs and the the signing government officials.
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