Assessing the impact of corruption practices in the destruction of peace and security in Tanzania:

Abstract

Corruption is Tanzania's most significant government concern. It poses a huge danger to the country's long-term peace and security, as well as its economic prosperity. This study sought to examine the impact of corruption in the destruction of peace and security in Tanzania: a case in the Arumeru District. Specifically, this study sought to identify causes of corruption in the Arumeru District, to assess the peace and security consequences of corruption and to determine the effectiveness of anti-corruption strategies in restoring peace and security in the Arumeru District. The Arvind Jain Theory of Corruption (2011) was adopted. The study was conducted by using a descriptive research design and qualitative and quantitative approaches were employed. The population of this study consisted of employees from the Arumeru District Council as well as Arumeru District citizens. The study employed a purposive and simple random sampling technique to get representatives of the entire targeted population. This research used both primary and secondary data. questionnaires and interviews to acquire primary data whereas secondary data was acquired by consulting various documentary sources. Data was analysed quantitatively and qualitatively. The Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) was used as a data analysis tool to analyse quantitative data using descriptive statistics while qualitative data was analysed using content analysis. This study found that political monopolization, low levels of democracy, weak civil participation, low political participation and higher levels of bureaucracy increase corruption. Findings revealed that inefficient administrative structures and low press freedom, as well as low economic freedom, increase corruption. Findings also revealed that corruption led to the rising of illiberal populism, human rights violations and conflicts of interest. Findings depicted that corruption led to impunity and partial justice and organized crime and terrorism. Findings affirmed that improved welfare, trust in leadership, a functional legal system and accountability prevent corruption which restores peace and security in society. Moreover, findings showed that political transparency, democracy, press freedom, transparent decision-making and legal sanctions prevent corruption which then restores peace and security in society. The study recommends that researchers investigate the institutional and legal procedures in place to prevent petty and grand corruption, since they have an impact on the delivery of public services to Tanzanian citizens.