Chapter 1-5

Student’s Name Instructor’s Name Course Date
Thieves of State: Chapter 1-5
It would be wrong and misguided to think that corruption does not threaten global security. In fact, corruption is the cause rather than the result of global instability or insecurity. In Thieves of State, Sarah Chayes compels the reader to rethink some of the long-held assumptions about corruption. Chayes portrays corruption as a ‘virus’ that could not be wiped out of the society because of its wide acceptance by individuals and communities. In the first chapter, Chayes explores the evil effect of corruption in Afghanistan. In providing an account of the Afghan war, Chayes unravels bribery as the unexpected link to the state of affairs as governments resort to criminal gangs to enrich themselves. In the book, Chayes presents a journalistic eye that focuses on detail to enliven the book.
The second chapter reiterates Chayes stance by examining the use of “official kidnapping” to extort fat payments in Kandahar. Governments would try all means possible to please their subjects and remain in power. Self-proclaimed “political activists” that understood the language of Western promoters of democracy understood how to tell the Westerners what they wanted to hear in order to seize power rather than midwife democracy. Chapter four reveals McChrystal’s reluctance to reply Chayes’ email on the strategies to eliminate corruption as indicators that ruling authorities are not ready to run corruption-free governments.

Chapter five reveals the upward flow of money from subordinate officials to superiors as levies, kickbacks, and gifts. From the five chapters, it is clear that corruption could be the reason for the emergence of militant and rebel groups that global security agencies are desperately trying to combat.
Works Cited
Chayes, Sarah. Thieves of state: Why corruption threatens global security. WW Norton & Company, 2015.