Prevention: An Effective Tool to Reduce Corruption (From Responding to the Challenges of Corruption, P 279-322, 2000, Anna A. del Frate and Giovanni Pasqua, eds. - See NCJ-184664)

• NCJ Number: 184687
• Author(s): Petter Langseth
• Date Published: 2000
• Length: 44 pages
• Publication Format: Document
• Publication Type: Issue Overview
• Language: English
• Country: Italy

Annotation

This chapter discusses prevention as an effective tool to reduce corruption.

Abstract

The World Bank and Transparency International define corruption as "the misuse of public office for private gain." As such, it involves the improper and unlawful behavior of public-service officials, both politicians and civil servants, whose positions create opportunities for the diversion of money and assets from government to themselves and their accomplices. Among factors contributing to corruption are policies, programs, and activities that are poorly conceived and managed, failing institutions, poverty, income disparities, inadequate civil servants' remuneration, and a lack of accountability and transparency. The article describes a holistic approach to governance and anti-corruption, a program that consists of three principal activity areas. First, it improves public sector service delivery by focusing on public sector accountability and legal reform in order to reintroduce the rule of law. It builds integrity by promoting governmental accountability and transparency. Finally, the program develops the prevention and anti-corruption capacity of the public sector (including parliament, watchdog and enforcement agencies and the judiciary) and of civil society, particularly by strengthening non-governmental organizations and the media. Notes, figures, tables, bibliography