Kleptocracies+&+Corruption

=**What is corruption?**=

Corruption in this sense is defined as leaders exploiting their country and their people, and using the power they have to their own advantage.. In Africa, corruption is widespread. Out of 27 African countries surveyed in 2006, 93% were rated “most corrupt” and the other 7% were rated “middle corrupt.” Unfortunately, no countries fell under the category “least corrupt.”* Dictators across the African continent exploit their people and their country itself. The Democratic Republic of the Congo is a prime example of a “most corrupt leader.” Despite its name, the country is far from democratic and has been under the rule of harsh dictators since the 1880s, when the Belgian Leopold II declared that he "... didn't want to miss the chance of getting [Belgium] a slice of this magnificent African cake." Under Leopold, the entire country was ripped apart by forced labor: Leopold had his agents collect baskets of severed hands as proof that they were doing their job. Since then, the country has seen a line of leaders that exploit their country and people; such as Mobutu Sese Seko, who came to power after troops loyal to him brutally tortured and killed the former president, who had been in power for less than a year. [|External link.] =** Whom does corruption affect? **= Corruption generally affects everyone except a very small, aristocratic upper-class. Robert Mugabe of Zimbabwe is a prime example of this situation. Mugabe “liberated” Zimbabwe in 1980, and ever since, h is rule has been one of state capitalism which has not materially benefited ordinary Zimbabweans. The president's political cronies have meanwhile been given lucrative state contracts irrespective of how they perform, and the economy as a whole has suffered. [|External link]. = Where is corruption present in the world? =  Corruption is present all over Africa, especially in the aforementioned countries- the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Zimbabwe, as well as in Egypt. Although it is not as widespread, corruption is also present in countries outside of Africa, such as North Korea, where totalitarian dictator Kim Jong-il operates a ring of torture camps where “prisoners” are held for ly ing, not working fast enough, or forgetting the words of patriotic songs. [|External link]. Corruption is also present in Egypt. Until very recently, Egypt was ruled by Hosni Mubarak, a harsh dictator who kept power for twenty years. The wealth of his family was estimated to be around $50 to $70 billion dollars. His rule left the Egyptian people oppressed and angry, and on January 25 th, protestors rose up in the streets of Cairo, the capital. Mubarak was overthrown in less than a month, but the government is now under control of a police state-like military regime, and the military hasn't shown any signs of stepping down or handing power to an elected authority. [|Exteranl link.] Wherever corruption is present, it leads to oppression; the people of Africa deserve better than this. Sub-Saharan Africa?." (2003): n. pag. Web. 21 Mar 2011
 * Geoffrey**
 * Bissessar, Nicole. "Does Corruption Persist in

=How did imperialism contribute to this problem? ELI =

Imperialism aided in the spread of kleptocracy in that, as larger countries expanded with the idea of capitalism and the profit on their mind rather than the well-being of the governments that would be set-up as a result of their imperialist moment crossed over Africa. As the leaders with the idea of imperialism and their colonialist ways spread their ideals to persons associated with government, the belief that money is more powerful and beneficial than the well-being of a countries growth, and the status of the citizens. The theories of colonialism and imperialism are involved in kleptocracy with the knowledge that land and conquering outweighs other consequences. []  http://www.mashada.com/forums/politics/5075-kleptocracy-africa-s-underdevelopment.html