NCJ Number
64606
Journal
Public Administration Review Volume: 40 Dated: (WINTER 1962) Pages: 357-372
Date Published
1962
Length
16 pages
Annotation
FOLLOWING 12 PARTIAL EXPLANATIONS FOR CORRUPTION IN GOVERNMENT, THIS ARTICLE EXAMINES PRACTICAL MEASURES TO COMBAT CORRUPTION, PARTICULARLY THOSE ADOPTED BY DEVELOPING NATIONS.
Abstract
GOVERNMENTAL CORRUPTION IS FOUND IN ALL FORMS OF BUREAUCRACY AND IN ALL PERIODS OF POLITICAL DEVELOPMENT. COMMONLY HELD ASSUMPTIONS CONCERNING THE CAUSES OR CURES FOR CORRUPTION ARE ANALYZED. THESE ELEMENTS ARE PART OF A COMPLICATED MATRIX OF CAUSES, EACH OF WHICH IS OF VARYING IMPORTANCE DEPENDING UPON SPATIAL, TEMPORAL, AND CIRCUMSTANTIAL FACTORS. ELEMENTS OF BUREAUCRATIC CORRUPTION RELATE TO THE PERSONAL VIRTUE OF THE SOCIETY'S LEADER, AND EDUCATION, RELIGIOUS TEACHINGS, COLONIALISM, AND POVERTY, ALONG WITH A SOCIETY'S PUNITIVE MEASURES, STAGE IN NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT, TRANSITIONAL PERIOD, AND SPECIAL TRAINING. BUREAUCRATIC CORRUPTION CAN ALSO BE SEEN AS A REFLECTION OF SOCIETY'S MORALITY. WAYS TO LIMIT, IF NOT ELIMINATE, CORRUPTION IN GOVERNMENT INCLUDE, MOST IMPORTANTLY, A COMMON ACCEPTANCE BY THE TOTAL SOCIETY OF STANDARDS OF GOVERNMENTAL MORALITY; THE DETACHMENT OF GOVERNMENT BUREAUCRATS FROM POLITICAL PRESSURES; INTIMATE ACQUAINTANCE BY HIGHER OFFICIALS WITH THE WORK FOR WHICH THEY ARE RESPONSIBLE; AND A DIFFUSION OF KNOWLEDGE ABOUT GOVERNMENT THROUGHOUT SOCIETY. OTHER CORRECTIVE MEASURES ENCOMPASS SUCH ELEMENTS AS LEGISLATIVE OVERSIGHT, EFFICIENT WORKFLOW, PRIDE IN WORK, AN IDEOLOGY OF AUSTERITY, AND INSTITUTIONAL MEASURES. ONE FURTHER MEASURE, A SUFFICIENT SALARY, IS CONSIDERED BY MANY AS THE ONLY REAL SOLUTION TO GOVERNMENT CORRUPTION. HOWEVER, THE MOST RELIABLE SOLUTION LIES IN THE VIGOROUS APPLICATION OF NUMEROUS REMEDIES FOR THE MANY FACETS OF THE PROBLEM. NO REFERENCES ARE INCLUDED. (PRG)