Obelodanjeni drastični primeri političke korupcije u Srbiji u devetnaestom veku

Abstract

Like any other nineteenth century state, the newly-created Serbian state was no stranger to the phenomenon of political corruption involving unethical conduct by representatives of the authorities, who used their political power to secure wealth and privileges for themselves. The will of the few governed the country. Everything was at their disposal: the state treasury, loan sharks and their interests, trading among state officials. At the time when money was becoming the most demanded commodity and the most convenient means of accumulating assets, people in power, from the highest to the lowest position, used their mandates for various monetary transactions in order to gain wealth. Usurers were people from the government ranks or the not-so-numerous rural bourgeoisie. Their victims were mostly village people with smaller estates, who lived under the burden of taxes of various kinds. The scope of usury increased by the year, reaching its peak in 1858, when the Convention of Saint Andrew took place, during which a clash occurred between Prince Aleksandar Karađorđevic and members of the State Council, who forced him to abdicate. The State Council was actually overflowed by complaints accusing him and the officials of his administration of misusing office and a document was produced referring to Prince Aleksandar Karađorđevic as the most eager protector of serious abuse. It was the first time that a Serbian ruler had to give up the throne due to political corruption of his officials as well as his own. Another example of serious political corruption involving linkages between owners of financial capital and high ranking officials that shook the pubic was the so-called 'railway scandal' (1880), also known as the 'Bontoux affair'. It was named after Paul Eugčne Bontoux, the director of the General Union, the French society which financed and constructed the first railway in Serbia. The ratification of the contract by the government was preceded by open acts of bribing the deputies into voting for the said French society, as well as bribing the opposition to attend the meetings, so that the quorum should be secured.