Ep 13. Shaffi Mather: A New Way to Fight Corruption

Shaffi Mather, social entrepreneur and lawyer from India, shares his innovative approach to fighting corruption in his TED Talk titled "A New Way to Fight Corruption." In this episode of TED Talks: Crime & Punishment, Mather presents his unique strategy of creating "5th Pillar" -- a non-violent, non-confrontational way of tackling corruption that empowers individuals to fight back against corrupt officials.

Mather begins his talk by describing the extent of corruption in India, and the toll it takes on the economy, society, and individuals. He notes that traditional methods of fighting corruption, such as the legal system and law enforcement, have not been effective in India. He then outlines the four traditional pillars of democracy -- legislative, executive, judiciary, and media -- and argues that they are not enough to combat corruption. Instead, Mather proposes a fifth pillar, which he calls "public action."

Mather explains that public action involves the creation of small groups of individuals who are committed to combating corruption. These groups act as watchdogs, monitoring government officials for signs of corruption and demanding transparency and accountability. Mather notes that this approach has been successful in India, where 5th Pillar has grown to include millions of members across the country. He shares inspiring stories of how ordinary citizens have used 5th Pillar to fight back against corrupt officials and win battles against corruption in their communities.

Mather also emphasizes the importance of education in fighting corruption. He stresses that corruption is not just a problem in developing countries like India, but it is a global issue that affects people from all walks of life. He believes that educating people about the impact of corruption and empowering them to take action is the key to creating a world free of corruption.

Throughout his talk, Mather provides concrete examples of how 5th Pillar works in practice, and how it can be applied in other countries struggling with corruption. He also addresses some of the challenges he has faced in promoting his idea, including resistance from government officials and skepticism from the public. Nonetheless, Mather remains committed to his vision of a corruption-free world, and he urges his audience to join him in the fight.

Overall, Shaffi Mather's TED Talk is a powerful call to action for all those who care about justice and integrity. His innovative approach to fighting corruption offers hope for a better future, and his inspiring stories of ordinary people making a difference will leave viewers feeling empowered to take action.