Corruption, Ethics and Citizenship

Contemporary society has discussed the need for transparency in order to prevent and repress corruption, both in the public and private spheres. It is unquestionable that due to the lack of transparency in many countries, clandestine relationships have been practiced and permitted, both in the public and private domains, generating illicit activities and giving rise to a corrupt system. In this sense, it is necessary to create a new way of avoiding shady activities that lead to corruption and, consequently, social exclusion, affecting the least advantaged the most. In addition, ethics must be practiced and exercised, generating concrete behavior; people cannot behave according to the situation, creating discredit in human relations. Some even point out that we have gone beyond the ethical minimum, generating the decay of morals and the disintegration of human beings. Perhaps we have been too conniving with bad behavior, giving rise to undue tolerance for the wrong, the illicit and the amoral. In addition, greed and excessive attachment to material goods have contributed to values such as solidarity, mercy and respect for human dignity being pushed aside.

Autorentext

EDUARDO VERA-CRUZ PINTO Full Professor at the University of Lisbon Theory and History of Law Research Center. MARCO ANTONIO MARQUES DA SILVA Full Professor at the Pontifical Catholic University of São Paulo Human Dignity and the Democratic Rule of Law Research Group.