Defining Corruption

What is the historical context of corruption in Rome and the Middle Ages?

Corruption involved paying off judges.

How is corruption defined in relation to the holy book?

Corruption is seen as sins and injustices committed by people and public servants/gov officials.

What does corruption signify in terms of condition?

It represents a change from a naturally sound condition to something unsound, impure, or tainted.

What is the application of corruption in politics?

Corruption is characterized by private gain at public expense.

What is Nye's definition of corruption?

Corruption by public officials involves behavior deviating from normal duties because of 'private-regarding', pecuniary (monetary value), or status gains; or violating rules against private-regarding influence

What are 'private-regarding' gains?

family and and close private clique (freinds)

What are examples of corrupt practices?

Bribery, nepotism, and misappropriation.

What is bribery?

Rewards to pervert judgement in position of trust

What are the limitiations of defining corruption?

Political party benefits (watergate), sexual favors, private corruption, some countries allow mixing private with public business or don't have formal rules on public conduct

What is the abuse of public office?

Nepotism, patronage, and conflicts of interest

What is a second conflict of interest in public office leading to the abuse of power?

Use of civil service position and contacts to create a consulting firm advising private clients

What is the 3rd conflict of interest in public office leading to the abuse of power?

Favors and use of connections created while in office to do private business after leaving the government

What is nepotism in the context of corruption?

Nepotism is the practice of giving jobs to relatives rather than the best qualified applicants. Patronage by relationship rather than merit.

What is the 1st conflict of interest in public office leading to the abuse of power?

Voting for laws that benefit a company in which the lawmaker has a financial interest.

What is the definition of business corruption?

Corruption involving non-public office holders, including kickbacks, fraud, embezzlement, pilfering, waste (effective and ineffective methods), and racketeering

What is racketeering?

An ongoing illegal enterprise that profits from commiting a pattern of crimes, such as extortion, money laundering and drug trafficking.

What is university corruption?

Scientific fraud, abuse of power, bribery, procurement

what is procurement?

The misuse of power for personal gain which results in unfair contract awards and financial losses.

What is the advantage of legal definitions of corruption?

The advantage of certainty and enforceability

What do imperfect laws and regimes allow in corruption?

Normative validation of official standards (not everything legal is ethical or OK - Nazi, apartheid -British taxes on colonies); different labels and standards across countries - this affects comparability (different contexts and size of public sector); or promote corrupt practices (Nigeria land management and allocation in other countries; use against opponents)

What is the definition of corruption according to the World Bank?

Abuse of public power for private benefit.

How does the UNDP define corruption?

Misuse of public power, office, or authority for private benefit through bribery, extortion, fraud, nepotism, speed money, influence peddling, or embezzlement

What are the five mandatory offenses under UNCAC?

Bribery of national public officials; active bribery of foreign public officials; embezzlement, misappropriation, and other diversion of money; money laundering; obstruction of justice.

What are the 6 other criminal offenses?

Passive bribery of foreign public official; trading in influence; abuse of function; illicit enrichment; bribery in private sector; embezzlement in private sector

What is the significance of public interest in defining corruption?

An act is corrupt if harmful to public interest, even if legal. (ex. urban renewal); also not corrupt if it violates the law, when it benefits public interest

What is the impact of public opinion on corruption?

Discrepancies with the law (not well respected, enforced, reported) can lead to changes in legislators and public attitudes over time.

What is black public opinion about corruption?

Majority backed

What is grey public opinion about corruption?

Elites back it, but not majority

What is white public opinion about corruption?

Majority do not back

What is the Passas Modification of corruption?

Corruption is the misuse of public or private power, office, or authority for private benefit, applicable to both sectors.

What is the role of international standards in combating corruption?

Standards set by organizations like UNCAC, OECD, Council of Europe and the EU aim to unify efforts against corruption globally.

What is the role of patronage in corruption?

Patronage involves replacing office holders with supporters and awarding contracts to them.

What is scientific fraud in the context of university corruption?

Scientific fraud refers to unethical practices in research and academic integrity.

What are the implications of imperfect laws on corruption?

Imperfect laws can allow corrupt practices to flourish and create normative validation of official standards.

How does the definition of corruption vary across countries?

Different labels and standards affect comparability and can promote corrupt practices.