Abstract: This paper considers the ongoing burden corruption creates in the nation of Mauritania. Since gaining independence from France in 1960, the country has experienced more than ten attempted or realized military coup d’ etats. This instability created an atmosphere in which massive corruption took root and prospered within every sector of society. After more than sixty years as an independent nation, and despite enormous pressure from international governments, donors, and NGO’s, corruption does not appear to be lessening, as annual “perception of corruption” indices continue to reveal. The cost of such activities is staggering. Despite the country’s vast economic potential based on a bounty of natural resources including extensive iron ore deposits, generous natural gas reserves, large scale fishing rights and more, Mauritania remains among the world’s least advanced developing countries, ranking on the low end of human development indices. While poor governance can be blamed for a portion of this failure, the primary culprit is greed. Corruption and classism keep the upper classes wealthy and powerful, while all others remain poverty stricken, illiterate, and in poor health.
Keywords: corruption, bribery, patronage, judiciary, gifts, favoritism, Mauritania.
Title: Political Corruption Cripples Mauritania’s Societal and Economic Development
Author: Shaul M. Gabbay
International Journal of Social Science and Humanities Research
ISSN 2348-3156 (Print), ISSN 2348-3164 (online)
Vol. 10, Issue 2, April 2022 - June 2022
Page No: 205-209
Research Publish Journals
Website: www.researchpublish.com
Published Date: 20-May-2022
