NCJ Number
106293
Editor(s)
J B McKinney,
M Johnston
Date Published
1986
Length
159 pages
Annotation
Twelve papers consider the basic causes of public resources misuse and propose administrative and political prevention measures.
Abstract
The opening paper presents a general perspective on fraud, waste, and abuse in government, including definitions and guidelines for action. Another paper proposes a policy analyst's definition of government waste, identifies factors that produce such waste, and suggests how government waste can be reduced. An analysis of the systematic origins of fraud, waste, and abuse identifies factors which create systemic pressures toward corruption. A paper locates the persistence of corrupt public administration in the absence of a public service ideology; government alienation from citizen needs and interests; and states characterized by social disorder, lawlessness, and public impropriety. An examination of client fraud and abuse in public assistance programs compares the American and British systems of public assistance. Papers focusing on public corruption-prevention measures consider vulnerability and risk analysis, mandatory internal control systems, zero base budgeting, auditing, congressional oversight, and civil service reform. The concluding paper discusses the tangible and intangible consequences of fraud, waste, abuse, and corruption. Chapter notes and subject index.