Professional Development Programs for Parliamentarians

and their Staff:

Curbing Corruption

What is Corruption?

 The abuse of public office for private gain: Official accepts, solicits, or extorts a bribe Agents give bribes to avoid public policies, for

competitive advantage & profit. Patronage Nepotism Theft or diversion of state assets or revenue.

Who is responsible for Corruption?

People in government positions,

Positions of leadership in the private sector,

Civil Society Leaders

Ordinary citizens

Public Corruption occurs when…

A government official benefits at the expense of ordinary citizens.

Two Manners of Public Corruption

Officials embezzle public money

Tax dollars

Development aid

Public profit making money

Public systems are dysfunctional

Citizens forced to deliver bribes or compromise to receive public goods or services.

No services.  

Why Public Corruption Matters

Citizens lose right to public services without bribes

Services are slowed

Many jobs cannot be fulfilled

Economic progress stalled & poverty continues

Private Corruption

Who?

Between individuals in private sector

What?

Organized crime, a $20 tip to get the best table in a restaurant.

Primary Classifications of Corruption

Bribery Nepotism Embezzlement Fraud Clientelism Rent-seeking Extortion

Bribery

Money or favor to influence a public official

Buy political favors, escape taxes, environmental regulations, monopolies, & licenses

Informal taxation  

 

Nepotism

Relatives or close friends of officials are favored for positions in which they hold decision-making authority.

Clientelism

Characterized by "patron-client" relationships “Patrons” = people of power “Clients” = powerless, often poor Patrons promise clients benefits in exchange for votes

Jobs Protection infrastructure.

Exploit poor or disenfranchised Politicians fail to deliver on their promises.

Embezzelment

Public officials steal money or government property

Employees steal from employers Public officials misappropriate resources,

including goods, meant for public services Forging receipts, using government

property or personnel for unofficial use.

Fraud

A person cheats another through deceit Information is distorted through

False advertising Identity theft Counterfeiting and racketeering Smuggling Official who manipulates info for personal profit

 

Fraud in the Public Domain

Government officials play role in activities: Deposit public money in personal accounts Liquidate banks to steal from people Print large amounts of money through central bank to

create false impression of strong economy Receive private loans that will never be paid back Issue falsified certificates, e.g. country of origin,

commercial goods Enable counterfeit goods to be bought & sold

Extortion

Person coerces another to pay for an action through money, goods, or favors

In government, agencies do not provide services quickly so people offer money for more rapid service delivery

Payers receive preferential treatment = service not really public

Rent-seeking

Manipulating economic environment, rather than improving economy

Reallocating money without benefiting all stakeholders

Seeking monopoly privileges

Redistributing wealth through tax burden or government spending

Grand Corruption

Substantial money High-level officials Power exploited for large bribes from corporations

contract scams embezzle from treasury legislation for personal favor

Large projects: building of roads, hospitals, etc.

 

 

Petty Corruption

Involves smaller sums and junior officials.

Faced by citizens and corrupt public officials health care Education paying taxes obtaining licenses

The Costs of Corruption

Increased poverty

Changed social norms

Environmental degradation

Economic impact

Costs of goods & services

Higher national debt 

Weakens institutions

Reduces resources for social programs

Good Governance

Rule of law Accountability Responsiveness Transparency Efficiency

Causes for Corruption

Desire for unfair advantage

Lack of punitive measures

Lack of transparency Poor incentive

structures

Lawless & over- regulated govts 

Excessive government control

When officials resist policies

Dysfunctional systems

Corruption in Numbers: The Indicators

Voice & Accountability Political Stability and Absence of Violence  Government Effectiveness Regulatory Quality  Rule of Law Control of Corruption

Corruption in Numbers: Diagnostic Surveys

Multi-pronged, separate surveys of users of public services

Experience-based questions; Broad governance & service delivery

conceptual framework;   Rigorous technical specifications at the

implementation stage.

 

Corruption in Numbers: Perception Surveys

Examines a problem across several countries

Shows where corruption problems are higher and lower around the world. Transparency International’s corruption

perception index

Corruption in Numbers: Data Collection Methods

Face-to-face interview Computer assisted Personal Interviewing Telephone Computer assisted telephone interviewing Mail Survey Hand delivered questionnaire Electronic Data Reporting Electronic Data Reporting via the Internet

Corruption in Numbers: Stages to Diagnosis

Preparation Promote Partnership Development   Fieldwork Analysis Dissemination

How to Increase Civil Society’s Role in Good Governance

Encourage local political, economic, social and cultural participation

Keep important documents public Develop public skills to utilize, access, &

interpret information Encourage opportunities for dialogue Citizen report cards

Improving Civil Society Voice

Public hearings Public meetings Participatory planning committees Focus groups Surveys Citizen advisory groups, etc.

Civil Society Organizations (CSOs)

What? Citizen groups Nongovernmental

organizations Trade unions Business associations Think tanks Academia Religious organizations

How? Build coalitions

between CSOs & government

Open channels to demand accountability

The Media & Corruption: A Mouthpiece for all

Communicate rights to people Inform about political items up for vote, Communicate needs of people Make demands of CSOs Communicate election time & details Research public official track record

Limitations of the Media: Libel

Criminal libel: Journalist & media outlet accused of publishing lies that threaten national stability.

Prison for journalist & maybe editors, owners Fines

The Media & Corruption: Licensing

A method for controlling media media must obtain a license from government

to operate. when media publish news about corruption,

license may be revoked.

An Enabling Environment for the Media to fight Corruption

Legal framework Regulatory framework Policy framework Government makes information available Information on policies, rules, regulations,

and government procedures

 

 

The Media & the Law

Access to information laws: Gives right to request & receive info from

government Protects media with evidence of statements

Article 19, Universal Declaration of Human Rights “Right to freedom of opinion & expression

includes freedom to seek, receive, & impart information & ideas through any media & regardless of frontiers.”

Successful Legislative Structure to Protect Media

Access to information

Freedom of Information Laws (FOI)

Access should be affordable.

 

Political Commitment to Anticorruption

Economic reform Institutional

arrangements Administrative

reforms promoting incentives

Awareness raising campaigns

Public spending patterns,

Development of an ACC

Citizen involvement Well functioning

parliament  Citizen Involvement

Anticorruption Commissions

Political bodies that educate, legislate, & punish acts of corruption.  

Must be independent Have clear reporting hierarchy Oversight committee Single agency or multiple agency approach  

Role of Parliament in Curbing Corruption

Prevent corruption in parliament   Create laws for good governance Incentivize public officials for transparency &

accountability.   Carry out oversight responsibilities Improve financial control

Specialized Agencies - Supreme Audit Institutions Properly represent constituency

Corruption in Political Parties and Parliament

Political party financing

Codes of conduct for parliamentarians

Ethical regimes

Inter-parliamentary Links

Global Organization of Parliamentarians Against Corruption (GOPAC)

Parliamentary Network on World Bank (PnoWB)

European Parliament

Commonwealth Parliamentary Association.