Coping With Administrative Corruption - An Academic Perspective

• NCJ Number: 73054
• Author(s): G E Caiden; N J Caiden
• Date Published: Unknown
• Length: 19 pages
• Publication Format: Document
• Language: English
• Country: India
• Note: Reprinted from Dynamics of Development - An International Perspective,

Annotation

Based on a review of research, this article discusses the definitions and causes of administrative corruption and presents several methods of coping with the problem.

Abstract

Methodological problems confront researchers. Because reliable information on this furtive conduct is scarce, it is often difficult to distinguish between corrupt and incompetent behavior, and disagreements exist on what constitutes corruption. The credibility of both the accused and the accuser may be suspect, and complaints about corruption often go unnoticed until large amounts of money or important persons are involved. Corruption has direct financial costs and does incalculable social and economic damage. Most scholars classify corruption into political, legal, financial, and business categories with different research designs needed for each area. A survey of the literature indicates that not much has been added to the old attribution of corruption to bad men and bad laws. Many laws are antiquated and others govern social activities that should not be the government's concern. When needed government services are scare, corruption may occur. The view of the government as a business and its bureaucratization have encouraged corrupt activities, as have excessive discretion in public decisionmaking and lack of accountability. Poorly organized administrations, lack of supervision, and inadequate controls also allow corruption to grow. Coping with corruption, however, requires an awareness of it and a reduction of motives. The government should remove undesirable social controls which interfere with peoples' personal lives, revise the laws, reduce public monopolies, and force government agencies to report on their activities. Since much administrative corruption stems from political corruption, all government activities should be conducted in an open and accountable manner. A professional civil service and regular administrative procedures also inhibit corruption. Special measures to combat corruption include developing manuals which provide guidelines for detecting and reporting irregular practices, conducting inspections, prosecuting offenders, and applying reasonable penalties. The bibliography contains 19 references.