Corruption in South Africa's liberal democratic context

This book is meant for academics in the fields of theology and ecclesial management, for business leaders and governmental authorities in the private and public domain. This collected work by mainly practical theologians reflects on the phenomenon of corruption in the liberal democracy of post-apart...

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Ngā kaituhi matua: Kruger, Ferdi, Klerk de, B.J.
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Reo:Ingarihi
I whakaputaina: AOSIS 2021
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Urunga tuihono:625175
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author Kruger, Ferdi
Klerk de, B.J.
author_browse Klerk de, B.J.
Kruger, Ferdi
author_facet Kruger, Ferdi
Klerk de, B.J.
author_sort Kruger, Ferdi
collection Directory of Open Access Books
description This book is meant for academics in the fields of theology and ecclesial management, for business leaders and governmental authorities in the private and public domain. This collected work by mainly practical theologians reflects on the phenomenon of corruption in the liberal democracy of post-apartheid South Africa. Liberal democracy has considerable salience in the contemporary world. Not only is it the form that many of the world’s most powerful and influential nations approve of, but it is a political system that is being tried – and used – by many formerly developing countries. South Africa is described as predominantly Christian. In such a context corruption is not to be expected. However, it is strongly prevalent. It undermines the values of both democracy and Christianity. Not only does corruption promote a general lack of trust in institutions and leadership, but it stimulates a perpetual culture of corruption that invades all spheres of life. The research is based on a qualitative empirical study. Its aim is to stimulate discourse in theology and related disciplines. Data were collected by means of interviews with political, business, church, and labour union managers and leaders in South Africa’s Gauteng area, who have experienced corruption. This area is the hub of economic, executive political and public office activities in South Africa. Respondents were specifically asked how their experience of corruption was informed by their norms, which in turn were influenced by their religious convictions and cultural conventions. The book suggests strategies for redressing the current ‘culture of corruption’. Although the chapters represent different perspectives, the shared objective is to emphasise that corruption is unethical, to describe and explain why it is taking place and how the situation should appear. The explanation focuses on the negative consequence of corruption: it does not respect human dignity – the ‘otherness’ of others; it exacerbates poverty; it weakens religious values and norms; it is not conducive to social cohesion in the country. The authors also share the theological premise that God is present in this world. In the kingdom of God, believers are encouraged to participate in the ‘clean-up’ process which includes combating the phenomenon of corruption. This book roots theological research and reflection in the real life of both believers and non-believers who consider a ‘clean’ world without corruption as an absolute necessity for a country characterised by the ideals of liberal democracy. The book will stimulate on-going transdisciplinary research focusing on unethical lifestyles, and it will also encourage church leaders to engage with managers in other spheres of society, such as politics and economics in order to counter the evil of corrupt practices. The research outcomes are relevant not only in the South African context, but also globally.
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spelling doab-20.500.12854ir-396642025-02-13T11:47:34Z Corruption in South Africa's liberal democratic context Kruger, Ferdi Klerk de, B.J. corruption democratic context christian leaders countering corruption pastoral directives Ezekiel God Jesus South Africa thema EDItEUR::Q Philosophy and Religion::QR Religion and beliefs::QRM Christianity::QRMP Christian life and practice This book is meant for academics in the fields of theology and ecclesial management, for business leaders and governmental authorities in the private and public domain. This collected work by mainly practical theologians reflects on the phenomenon of corruption in the liberal democracy of post-apartheid South Africa. Liberal democracy has considerable salience in the contemporary world. Not only is it the form that many of the world’s most powerful and influential nations approve of, but it is a political system that is being tried – and used – by many formerly developing countries. South Africa is described as predominantly Christian. In such a context corruption is not to be expected. However, it is strongly prevalent. It undermines the values of both democracy and Christianity. Not only does corruption promote a general lack of trust in institutions and leadership, but it stimulates a perpetual culture of corruption that invades all spheres of life. The research is based on a qualitative empirical study. Its aim is to stimulate discourse in theology and related disciplines. Data were collected by means of interviews with political, business, church, and labour union managers and leaders in South Africa’s Gauteng area, who have experienced corruption. This area is the hub of economic, executive political and public office activities in South Africa. Respondents were specifically asked how their experience of corruption was informed by their norms, which in turn were influenced by their religious convictions and cultural conventions. The book suggests strategies for redressing the current ‘culture of corruption’. Although the chapters represent different perspectives, the shared objective is to emphasise that corruption is unethical, to describe and explain why it is taking place and how the situation should appear. The explanation focuses on the negative consequence of corruption: it does not respect human dignity – the ‘otherness’ of others; it exacerbates poverty; it weakens religious values and norms; it is not conducive to social cohesion in the country. The authors also share the theological premise that God is present in this world. In the kingdom of God, believers are encouraged to participate in the ‘clean-up’ process which includes combating the phenomenon of corruption. This book roots theological research and reflection in the real life of both believers and non-believers who consider a ‘clean’ world without corruption as an absolute necessity for a country characterised by the ideals of liberal democracy. The book will stimulate on-going transdisciplinary research focusing on unethical lifestyles, and it will also encourage church leaders to engage with managers in other spheres of society, such as politics and economics in order to counter the evil of corrupt practices. The research outcomes are relevant not only in the South African context, but also globally. 2021-02-10T12:58:18Z 2017-03-08 23:55 2019-04-04 13:38:27 2020-04-01T13:50:08Z 2016 book 625175 OCN: 982239372 http://library.oapen.org/handle/20.500.12657/31808 9780620725262 https://directory.doabooks.org/handle/20.500.12854/39664 eng open access image/jpeg image/jpeg image/jpeg image/jpeg image/jpeg n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a https://library.oapen.org/bitstream/20.500.12657/31808/1/625175.pdf https://library.oapen.org/bitstream/20.500.12657/31808/1/625175.pdf https://library.oapen.org/bitstream/20.500.12657/31808/1/625175.pdf https://library.oapen.org/bitstream/20.500.12657/31808/1/625175.pdf https://library.oapen.org/bitstream/20.500.12657/31808/1/625175.pdf AOSIS AOSIS 10.4102/aosis.2016.csaldc05 10.4102/aosis.2016.csaldc05 c47a1220-d848-4e78-88cd-74f293e3d4f4 9780620725262 AOSIS 362 Durbanville open access
spellingShingle corruption
democratic context
christian leaders
countering corruption
pastoral directives
Ezekiel
God
Jesus
South Africa
thema EDItEUR::Q Philosophy and Religion::QR Religion and beliefs::QRM Christianity::QRMP Christian life and practice
Kruger, Ferdi
Klerk de, B.J.
Corruption in South Africa's liberal democratic context
title Corruption in South Africa's liberal democratic context
title_full Corruption in South Africa's liberal democratic context
title_fullStr Corruption in South Africa's liberal democratic context
title_full_unstemmed Corruption in South Africa's liberal democratic context
title_short Corruption in South Africa's liberal democratic context
title_sort corruption in south africa s liberal democratic context
topic corruption
democratic context
christian leaders
countering corruption
pastoral directives
Ezekiel
God
Jesus
South Africa
thema EDItEUR::Q Philosophy and Religion::QR Religion and beliefs::QRM Christianity::QRMP Christian life and practice
topic_facet corruption
democratic context
christian leaders
countering corruption
pastoral directives
Ezekiel
God
Jesus
South Africa
thema EDItEUR::Q Philosophy and Religion::QR Religion and beliefs::QRM Christianity::QRMP Christian life and practice
url 625175
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