When bad behavior has taken root, and that bad behavior has a “survival advantage” against good behavior, it becomes difficult, and occasionally impossible, to drive out the bad behavior.
The above a simple explanation of Gresham's Law - which describes how bad behaviour naturally drives out good behaviour if it causes 'superior practical effects.'
The corruption scandals we are seeing in Kenya is Gresham's law working it magic (a special case of natural selection) - corruption has gained a hard-to-replace foothold. Why?
We praise and allow the hustler mentality that is rewarding without accountability. We propel rich 'hustlers' to prominence.
To reverse the effects of Gresham's law is a long, painful and hard journey that is nearly impossible. It will take strong-willed leaders to course correct. Short-term measure: hold the corrupt individuals accountable for their actions regardless of rank and file,
Medium-term: Enforce governance laws, iterate and improve systems and processes in institutions, retrain and keep a close eye on middle-level management (they are the most fraudulent).
Long-term: Discourage the hustler mentality in our education by rewarding progressive growth not 'status' -i.e achieving a grade, which encourages hustling (cheating, colluding, cramming, fake certificates, sex for grades, e.t.c)
And this is not only for government. But I guess it's easier said than done. What are your thoughts?
