Modernity's Corruption: Empire and Morality in the Making of British India

Corruption is the pursuit of personal interests at the expense of responsibilities, the law, or the common good. It has a narrower definition due to conflicts among company officials and the changing audiences to which they justified themselves in Britain. This new understanding unified an imperial elite and helped redefine the boundaries of state, society, and economy.

Format: Hardback
Length: 312 pages
Publication date: 16 May 2023
Publisher: Columbia University Press

Corruption, a pervasive societal issue, encompasses the pursuit of personal interests at the expense of one's responsibilities, the law, or the collective well-being. It evokes images of officials violating their public duty for private gain, suggesting the involvement of corrupt bureaucracies in accepting payoffs, kickbacks, and bribes. However, the concept of corruption has evolved over time, encompassing a broader perspective on the causes of human behavior and the appropriate means of regulating conduct. In this expanded understanding, being "corrupt" entailed a delicate balance between competing desires under specific circumstances and in the eyes of peers.

The dominance of a narrower definition of corruption can be traced back to Nicholas Hoover Wilson's insightful examination of the English East India Company and its transition from a primarily commercial enterprise to a militarized branch of the British empire in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. Wilson argues that the modern concept of corruption emerged as an unintended consequence of conflicts among company officials and the evolving audiences to which they justified their actions in Britain. This new understanding unified an imperial elite facing the risk of moral fragmentation and played a crucial role in redefining the boundaries between state, society, and economy.

Modernity's Corruption offers a novel historical sociology of imperial administration and its paradoxical nature. It delves into the intricate details of how corruption unfolded within the East India Company and its impact on the broader political and organizational landscape. By exploring the conflicts and contradictions within the company, Wilson sheds light on the complex dynamics that shaped the modern concept of corruption. Moreover, the book offers a fresh perspective on the nature of corruption, challenging traditional notions and exploring its political and organizational consequences.

Furthermore, Modernity's Corruption revitalizes classic arguments about the nature and consequences of global modernity. It raises important questions about the ethical dimensions of power, governance, and the distribution of resources in an increasingly interconnected world. The book prompts us to reflect on the ways in which corruption manifests itself in different contexts, from corporate scandals to political corruption, and its implications for social justice, economic development, and international relations.

In conclusion, Modernity's Corruption is a groundbreaking work that provides a comprehensive and nuanced understanding of corruption's historical evolution and its profound implications for contemporary society. By examining the East India Company and its transformation, Wilson offers a valuable lens through which to analyze the complex dynamics of corruption and its impact on the boundaries between state, society, and economy. The book's insights into the nature of corruption, its political and organizational consequences, and its relevance to global modernity make it a must-read for scholars, policymakers, and anyone interested in understanding the complexities of contemporary society.

Dimension: 216 x 140 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780231192187