Does economic inequality provoke people to be dishonest?

A week before the media reported the suicide of Zainal Abedin, aged 45, in the Madhubagh area of Hatirjheel in the capital city, the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics (BBS) released its final report titled 'Food Security Statistics 2023'. The report highlighted a concerning trend: one-quarter of households in the country resort to borrowing to fulfill fundamental needs such as food, shelter, medical care, and education.

Three months before this incident, in December of last year, news emerged revealing that 40 percent of the country's total income was concentrated in the hands of the top 10 percent wealthiest individuals. Citing a government survey report, the media highlighted that irregularities within the banking sector, tax evasion, and the prevalence of money laundering had surged significantly. These factors contributed to a worsening income inequality within society.

Indeed, the primary issue plaguing Bangladesh's economy is inequality, with corruption being identified as the main culprit. This corrupt and discriminatory economic environment has ripple effects, impacting various sectors including the commodity market, ultimately burdening the common citizen.

Former State Minister for Planning Shamsul Alam openly acknowledged that corruption stands as the primary hurdle to reducing economic inequality in the country. Speaking at a round table discussion held at the National Press Club last December, he emphasised that despite remarkable economic advancements over the past 15 years, economic inequality has surged. Alam pointed out that corruption remains the foremost barrier to combating this inequality. Additionally, he highlighted the government's stance of zero tolerance towards corruption. (Source: Somoy TV, 30 December 2023)
The recent extensive development in Bangladesh's infrastructure sector is notable, with projects such as the Padma Bridge, Metrorail, Dhaka-Mawa-Bhanga Expressway, Elevated Expressway, and Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant reshaping the country's landscape. These initiatives, funded domestically and sometimes in defiance of international skepticism, stand as symbols of the nation's determination and progress.

However, behind these visible structures lie untold stories of hardship and suffering. Many individuals, unable to afford basic necessities like medicine, face despair. Countless others experience humiliation while navigating daily life due to economic constraints. Corruption in state institutions further compounds these challenges, making it difficult for citizens to access essential services without resorting to bribery.

Moreover, the rapid pace of development often comes at the cost of environmental degradation. Rivers, canals, reservoirs, and ponds are sacrificed in the name of progress, raising questions about the true economic value of this destruction of nature. Unfortunately, the state's accounting of such losses remains inadequate, leaving the true toll on the environment unacknowledged.

In essence, while Bangladesh celebrates its infrastructural achievements, it must also confront the human and environmental costs associated with its development journey. The nation can only achieve sustainable and inclusive progress for all its citizens by addressing these underlying issues.
In 1974, when Bangladesh's population was around seven and a half crore, the country experienced a devastating famine. Fast forward to the present day, with a population of around 170 million, Bangladesh has successfully averted any famine or famine-like situations. This achievement is a testament to the country's progress over the past half-century.

However, alongside this progress, it is important to acknowledge the other side of the coin. While there may not be widespread famine, there are still significant challenges that persist, particularly regarding the affordability and accessibility of daily commodities for many citizens. Economic disparities, inflation, and food insecurity remain pressing issues for a significant portion of the population.

Despite Bangladesh's remarkable strides in addressing food shortages, it is crucial to recognise and address the ongoing struggles faced by many individuals and communities. By acknowledging the complexities of the situation and working towards equitable solutions, Bangladesh can continue on its path towards sustainable development and prosperity for all its citizens.

The tragic death of Zainal without being able to afford medicine highlights a profound societal issue that extends beyond individual responsibility. In a country like Bangladesh, where significant strides have been made in infrastructure development, such as the Padma Bridge, there exists a moral imperative to ensure that all citizens have access to essential healthcare and medicines.

Development is taking place - there is no doubt about it. But how many people are benefiting from that development? We also know that the number of millionaires in the country is increasing, as well as the number of owners of hundreds and thousands of crores of taka. But what is the process of becoming the owner of hundreds and thousands of crores of taka? Whose money is making someone a millionaire? Is there any chance of denying the brutal fact that a class has been bloated by looting huge sums of money from every development project?

Although it's saddening, the truth is, in Bangladesh, a project often means hundreds or thousands of crores of taka, and a project often means becoming wealthier for some people. Those who have become or are becoming wealthier from the taxes of the people and funds managed by various projects financed through foreign loans, is all their money staying in the country? No. A significant portion of it is finding its way out of the country through various means. Because these wealthy individuals do not consider Bangladesh safe for residence. Even their children's education and healthcare are abroad. They don't think Bangladesh is anything but a money-earning machine.

In the next 20 or 50 years, they don't have any concerns about what the situation in Bangladesh will be like. The state fails to bring them within accountability. Because the entire economic system has fallen into such a vicious cycle that now, some people are becoming rich from poor, while, in contrast, a vast number of people are struggling to meet their basic needs. Although many wealthy individuals are experiencing the pain of their bellies, they are leaving for Singapore. Conversely, people like Zainal, not being able to afford medicine, are choosing the path of suicide.

In recent years, the type of economic system that Bangladesh's governments have established is evidently contrary to the core principles of the original constitution. The constitution adopted by the Jatiya Sangsad (National Parliament) after Bangladesh's independence, where the founding father of the nation, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, outlined the fundamental principle of democratic socialism, is termed 'Liberation through Democratic Means in Socialism.' In his words: "Without socialism, seventy million people cannot survive in the fifty-four thousand square miles. Therefore, the economy will be socialist... The meaning of socialism in our society is a society free from exploitation. We do not want to import socialism from the world. Each country, each path, has advanced towards socialism." (Bangladesh Jatiya Sangsad Debate, CBC Foundation/2014, p. 962).

It is often suggested that one of the primary reasons for the assassination of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman was his economic ideology. He envisioned building a people-centric economic system that would eradicate profiteering, corruption, and the misappropriation of state resources. In his vision, all resources of the state would truly belong to the people. However, the perpetrators did not allow Bangabandhu the opportunity to realise this vision.

Subsequently, after his assassination, successive governments have pursued the establishment of a capitalist and corrupt economic system. This system has consistently favored the interests of the wealthy elite in society, leading to further enrichment of the already wealthy and facilitating the emergence of new wealth. Consequently, this has exacerbated economic inequality in the country.
Therefore, it is very difficult to break free from here. Because in order to eliminate economic disparity, it is necessary to reduce corruption and stop the path to owning huge wealth by any means. If steps are taken to break the syndicate, the ruling party people and government people in the various levels would obstruct first.

The majority of them are not satisfied with their salaries. They built a vast empire by embezzling and looting money from various projects. Therefore, without the political will of the government, it is not possible to curb corruption. And if corruption is not halted, economic inequality will persist. For instance, when an ordinary citizen goes to the fish market to purchase fish and bargains for it, they may find themselves standing next to another buyer who has amassed wealth through illicit means. Consequently, the honest individual may have to return home empty-handed, unable to afford the fish they desired.

This inequality is not solely economic; it also has profound psychological ramifications. When an ordinary person witnesses their inability to afford desired items through honest means, or when they face challenges such as not being able to provide quality education for their children or experiencing difficulties in accessing adequate healthcare for a sick family member, it generates feelings of anger and deprivation. These emotions can lead to a sense of injustice and frustration, pushing some individuals towards dishonesty as a means of survival.

Indeed, there appears to be limited research on the psychological impact of corrupt economic systems and market economy inequality. However, it is evident that such disparities can contribute to a range of negative psychological outcomes, including feelings of inadequacy, hopelessness, and resentment towards the system.

Author: Editor, Current Affairs, Nexus Television.