The Issue
Corruption and its ill effects can be found throughout Asia, from government officials, politicians, social welfare institutes to business practices and routine daily affairs. The prevalence of corruption is directly linked to a breakdown in the rule of law. On the one hand, when justice institutions are not functioning, when the law is not upheld, there is no mechanism to check and prevent corruption. On the other hand, the existence of corruption renders law meaningless, as law is now dependent on money or personal connections.
Without law, society is left in a situation of anarchy, with no means to safeguard human rights, and little chance of democracy flourishing.