Contextual Choices in Fighting Corruption: Lessons Learned

The authors argue that conceptual flaws, imprecise measurement instruments and inadequate strategies have played a large role in thwarting anti-corruption efforts. For example, most of the current anti-corruption strategies focus on increasing legal constraints; however, this is ineffective since most interventions are implemented in societies that lack the rule of law.

The authors argue that one of the fundamental problems of anti-corruption theories is the presumption that corruption is a deviation of ethical universalism, where every citizen is treated equally by the state and public resources are distributed impartially. This approach ignores the fact that outside of the developed world ethical universalism is not the norm. Rather, in many societies “particularism” has a much stronger hold where people tend to share the limited available resources with their closest kin and not with everyone else.

The report undertakes some historical analysis of countries that have made the transition from ethical “particularism” to universalism. After examining the success stories, the authors offer a list of lessons learned and policy recommendations to the donors that include the following:

·        The most important anti-corruption efforts are local. Historical analysis shows that while external constraints can play a role, the transformation to universalism needs to be reflected in a new equilibrium of power at the local level.

·        The main anti-corruption actors should be broad national coalitions which should include civil society, media and political opposition. All good governance programs should be designed to promote this political approach.

·        Good governance programs, particularly UNCAC implementation should be tied to assistance on a “cash-by-delivery” mechanism only and diplomacy should act in concert with aid, promoting representative anti-corruption actors in societies and avoiding limiting the circle to “professionalized” experts.

·        Indicators need to be developed to better monitor trends and impact of policies.

Moreover, the authors find evidence that tools to increase human agency, such as, internet infrastructure, freedom of information acts, media freedom and second generation transparency tools (such as transparency of budgets, legislative drafts, etc.) can play an important role in curbing corruption.