{"id":90158,"date":"2026-02-16T08:14:58","date_gmt":"2026-02-16T08:14:58","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.taxresearch.org.uk\/Blog\/?p=90158"},"modified":"2026-02-16T08:24:55","modified_gmt":"2026-02-16T08:24:55","slug":"what-can-we-do-about-corruption","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.taxresearch.org.uk\/Blog\/2026\/02\/16\/what-can-we-do-about-corruption\/","title":{"rendered":"What can we do about corruption?"},"content":{"rendered":"

I hit the corruption theme in The National<\/a> this morning:<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

As is my habit, the angle of approach in that article differs from what I use here.<\/p>\n

What is also different is that I say this:<\/p>\n

\n

So, what do we do about it?<\/h3>\n

First, keep your eyes and ears open. Always ask who is benefitting from anything that looks in the slightest bit strange going on around you and how and why they might do what they are doing. Be suitably suspicious, in other words.<\/p>\n

Second, ask questions. Use the powers we have to question the government, politicians, police, regulators and anyone else, at least to put them on notice that people are watching. That in itself might be enough to make a difference.<\/p>\n

Third, get involved. If you don\u2019t like politics as it is, try to change it.<\/p>\n

Fourth, use the power of your money to make a difference. Boycott those whose actions you do not like in the economy. Tell others why, using social media.<\/p>\n

Fifth, campaign. Join political parties, if that is what you think is required. Do the same with NGOs, and then tell their leadership what you think. Or set up your own campaign.<\/p>\n

I have done that several times, most notably with the Tax Justice Network and the Green New Deal. Both had a massive impact on the world in their heyday. Don\u2019t presume that it is not possible when I know it is.<\/p>\n

Sixth, just talk about this. That way, you reinforce your own belief that there is something wrong and you are not going to accept it anymore, because why should we?<\/p>\n

Corruption has happened in plain sight and most people never noticed. My suggestion is we should start noting it, and then shout about it, if only by asking questions, which is always safer than making specific accusations. If the world is to be a better place, we have to play our part in making it so.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

No other paper would let me do this. It's worth subscribing to The National. It's just \u00a320 for a year.\u00a0<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

I hit the corruption theme in The National this morning: As is my habit, the angle of approach in that article differs from what I
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