Frank's Musings

Corruption in Eastern Europe Corruption in Czech politics (WSJ May 17, 2012) reflects the cavalier attitude of Czech businessmen towards international commercial standards. This is probably an overhang from Communist rule, for it is common in many of the former Soviet Bloc countries. Their political systems engendered dishonesty and contempt for international civil behavior. Contracts were meaningless, for courts did not enforce the rule of law. Their American business partners are still considered to be naïve because we rely on the general acceptance of long-term values by participants in the marketplace. Perhaps we cannot simply assume that international business transactions will conform to the principles that govern domestic trade. Perhaps the end of the U.S. economy’s world dominance is making such hubris counterproductive. On the other hand, growing public resistance towards government officials’ corruption in places like the Czech Republic may signal a consequence of the failure of communism in those countries. That could mean a friendlier global marketplace in which Americans can do business.