Corruption is often viewed as a systemic problem, deeply embedded in institutions, and predominantly attributed to those in power. However, what if this narrative is incomplete? What if, in the process of corruption, citizens are not just passive victims but active participants or at least the enablers – knowingly or unknowingly triggering unethical and corrupt practices? This thought may be uncomfortable to explore, but it unpacks a complex dimension that challenges how we understand corruption, especially within law enforcement.

Imagine a simple traffic accident where both parties violated the traffic rules. As soon as a police officer steps into the scene, he sees the potential for exploitation. Why? Because both parties are complicit in breaking the law. This gray area, where citizens engage in violation of the law, opens a door for police officials to exercise power unethically. The citizens, aware of their fault, find themselves vulnerable, making them easy targets for extortion. They are caught in a moral compromise, willing to pay their way out of a situation that exposes their own culpability.

The officer further explained that the pattern repeats itself in cases of theft, robbery, murder, or even minor infractions like driving without a license. In each case, the citizen’s engagement in illegal activities or violation of law sets the stage for corruption. Whether it’s securing a favorable outcome or avoiding punitive consequences, the citizen’s initial violation provides the police with the leverage to demand a bribe. In these cases, corruption is not just an institutional failing but a response to a perceived opportunity—a door opened by the people it is meant to serve.

Human Angles: The fear and compromise of the common man

Navigating the citizen-law enforcement relationship is complex. Corruption is not just about unethical officials exploiting the system; it is also about the fear, the compromise, and the tacit acknowledgment that bending the rules is easier than following them. From the common man’s perspective, corruption is often seen as an unavoidable part of interacting with authority. But what happens when the citizen inadvertently becomes the enabler?

In many cases, citizens knowingly violate laws—whether through bribery to fast-track paperwork or avoiding fines for traffic violations. They are willing participants, rationalizing their actions as necessary evils in a system that seems to thrive on corruption. But by doing so, they fuel the very machine they later decry. This human angle reveals an unsettling truth: corruption thrives not only because of those who demand bribes but also because of those willing to pay them.

When a police officer hesitates to demand illicit money from a law-abiding citizen, it’s often combined with fear—fear of exposure, social media backlash, or intervention from higher-ups. But when the citizen is involved in a violation, that fear diminishes. The power dynamic shifts, allowing the officer to act without consequence. This mutual complicity, where both parties are entangled in a web of legal and moral compromises, creates a breeding ground for corruption.

Avoiding the hook: How citizens can break the cycle in simple ways

The conversation raised an essential question: how can the common man avoid becoming entangled in this cycle of corruption? Though not simple, the answer lies in an approach that starts with awareness and education.

Following the law: This may sound idealistic, but the simple act of adhering to laws reduces the opportunities for corruption. If citizens drive with proper licenses, pay their taxes, and follow legal procedures, the instances where they might feel pressured into offering bribes diminish significantly. Corruption is opportunistic—it feeds off violations. By following the law, citizens close off those opportunities.

Knowing your rights: Corruption often thrives where ignorance prevails. When citizens are unaware of their constitutional rights or the fundamental laws governing their interactions with law enforcement, they are easy targets for exploitation. When equipped with the correct information, citizens can stand firm against any unlawful demand, refusing to give in to bribery.

Breaking the silence: Silence can be deadly in a corrupt system. The fear of speaking up often prevents accountability. However, when citizens collectively stand against corruption—by reporting unethical behavior, utilizing common platforms to raise their voices, or seeking justice through legitimate channels—they can disrupt the culture of silence that enables corruption to flourish.

Civil society and education: While citizens can individually take steps, societal change requires collective effort. Educational institutions and civil society organizations must play an active role in teaching constitutional rights, legal literacy, and ethical behavior to the citizens, especially the youth. By embedding these values and knowledge in the fabric of society, we create a future generation less susceptible to corruption. This education needs to be practical, not theoretical, equipping citizens with the tools to navigate real-life scenarios involving law enforcement and governance.

Shifting the narrative

Corruption is a moral failing at its core. But it is nurtured by systemic inefficiencies, human fear, and the silent complicity of those who feel powerless in the face of authority. The police officer’s perspective challenges the traditional narrative that paints citizens as mere victims of a corrupt system. Instead, it asks us to consider a more nuanced view: that citizens, through their own actions, can either contribute to or diminish the prevalence of corruption.

By understanding the triggers—whether it’s the fear of punishment, the desire to avoid inconvenience, or simply ignorance of one’s rights—we can address corruption from the top down and from the ground up. Change, then, becomes not just about reforming institutions but also transforming ordinary citizens’ behaviors and mindsets.

The power to fight corruption lies not just in policy reforms or punitive measures but in a collective shift in how we engage with the law and those who enforce it. If citizens commit to upholding the law, educating themselves about their rights, and standing firm against unethical practices, we might see the cracks in the system begin to heal.

After all, corruption is not just a governance problem but a reflection of society itself. And society, empowered by its citizens, holds the key to change.

About the Author: Asif Farooqui is the Director of Programs at the Accountability Lab Pakistan, and can be reached at asif@accountabilitylab.org