[Ibn_Sina]

First and foremost, before I pose my question, I must admit that my knowledge in philosophical matters is very limited. Thus, if I sound simplistic, please excuse me. I would also appreciate if you could answer me in a simplistic manner.



Okay, when I was reading about frequent military coups and economic situation in West Africa, I have come across two theories. Before I go to those theories, I will explain one relevant term. State weakness can mean many things but in this case, state weakness is a state's inability to address the needs of most of its citizens.


Theory 1: state weakness leads to corruption.

Theory 2: corruption leads to state weakness.


Theorists such as Patrick McGowan proposes Theory 1 while most modern theorists and economists (including IMF) propose Theory 2. In relation to Theory 2, my question to other fellow students was, from where does corruption originate? If corruption leads to state weakness, it had to originate from some where or because of some reason?

Their response was "human nature is corrupt" and that is why Theory 2 makes sense. However, my question is, how can we make such assumptions on human nature? Surely, humans (politicians to be more specific) do not live outside society. I would say its scarcity of goods that plausibly makes human corrupt. There is more scarcity in West African nations, so there is more corruption. There is less scarcity in Western Europe, so there is less corruption. So we go back to Theory 1. Scarcity exists because the state is weak and unable to provide for its citizens.

As for human nature, surely every human wants to ensure its survival in every situation? Surely all normal humans dislike physical pain? It doesn't matter whether he/she is a businessman or spent his/her entire life in a jungle. It is his/her interaction with the external environment and experiences that shape his/her nature. Thus, a human being might be corrupt and brutal when experiencing a Hobbsean sense of scarcity, but can also be peaceful while living in a Lockean sense of abundance of goods. I don't know how right I am, that's why I am seeking assistance from yourselves.