demoncracy corruption

Abstract

  • This research investigates the relationship between democracy, authoritarianism, and political corruption.

  • Focus is on Elite Cartel corruption in Hungary and Italy.

  • Perceptions of corruption: worsened in Hungary over the last decade; improved in Italy.

  • Theory of deep democratization is employed to explain these trends.

Key Concepts

  • Deep Democratization:

    • A long-term process leading to social and political changes, rules, and mechanisms of accountability.

    • Key characteristics include:

    • Competitive multi-party elections

    • Professionalism in civil service

    • Strong and independent judiciary

    • Free and independent press

    • Strong and vibrant civil society

  • Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI):

    • A tool by Transparency International to measure perceived levels of corruption.

  • Research findings:

    • Authoritarianism breeds corruption.

Comparison of Hungary and Italy

  • Hungary (2012-2022): CPI score fell from 54 to 43.

  • Italy (2012-2022): CPI score improved from 42 to 56, effectively trading places with Hungary.

  • Report by the European Parliament describes Hungary as an “electoral autocracy.”

Methodology

  • Emphasis on qualitative and quantitative research methods.

  • Data sources include:

    • Historical studies

    • Peer-reviewed articles

    • Media reports

    • Transparency International data, Freedom House reports, Bertelsmann Stiftung data

  • Pattern Matching Methodology was utilized for case studies to analyze corruption trends.

Theoretical Framework

  • Johnston (2005/2014) argues against a uniform approach to understanding corruption due to variations across societies.

  • Corruption Syndromes:

    • Influence Markets

    • Elite Cartels

    • Oligarchs and Clans

    • Official Moguls

  • Focus on Elite Cartel corruption:

    • Occurs in democracies with moderately strong institutions, where elites collude to maintain wealth & power.

Characteristics of Deep Democracy

  1. Multiparty Electoral Competition:

    • A mechanism for accountability.

    • Hypothesis: Countries with competitive multiparty elections are better at controlling corruption.

  2. Professionalism of Civil Service:

    • Essential for effective governance and anti-corruption efforts.

    • Poor bureaucratic function leads to corruption.

    • Hypothesis: Countries promoting civil service professionalism will successfully control corruption.

  3. Strength and Independence of Judiciary:

    • A robust judiciary is critical in anti-corruption measures.

    • Hypothesis: Strong judiciaries lead to better corruption control.

  4. Freedom of Press:

    • Investigative journalism is vital to exposing corruption.

    • Hypothesis: Free press correlates with lower corruption levels.

  5. Strength and Vibrancy of Civil Society:

    • Civil society mobilizes action against corruption.

    • Hypothesis: Strong civil society reduces corruption to a significant degree.

Findings on Corruption in Hungary and Italy

  • Italy (2021):

    • 34% feel corruption increased; only 3% reported paying bribes.

  • Hungary (2021):

    • 40% believe corruption increased; 17% reported paying bribes.

Historical Context

  • Post-WWII:

    • Hungary: Authoritarian regime under Soviet rule until 1989.

    • Italy: Dominance by Christian Democrats and emergence of corruption scandals in the 1990s.

  • The Tangentopoli Scandal:

    • Led to reforms and the rise of Silvio Berlusconi.

  • The Oszödi Speech:

    • Hungarian PM Gyurcsány's admission of deception influenced public perception and political shifts.

Recent Developments in Hungary and Italy

  • Hungary's government created an environment less accountable to anti-corruption measures, hindering democratic integrity.

  • Italy has seen stronger reforms in response to earlier corruption crises, including the establishment of integrity frameworks and protections for whistleblowers.

  • EU Pressure:

    • The European Commission is influencing Hungary to tackle corruption for funding considerations.

Implications for Policy and Future Research

  • Highlight the importance of vigilance in sustaining transparent democratic institutions.

  • Comparison with the U.S. concerning the possible rise of authoritarian leaders that could undermine democratic structures.

Conclusion

  • This research underscores the critical interactions between democracy, authoritarianism, and corruption.

  • Reinforcement of Johnston's theory is crucial by emphasizing the necessity of fostering strong democratic institutions to combat corruption effectively.