This month, we are focusing on Corruption. Our RWI Librarian Victoria Heisler recommends books though our bi-weekly Bookphoria with Victoria – On Corruption Part 1.
What is corruption?
Corruption is the abuse of power or position for personal gain or benefit. In the context of human rights and human rights law, corruption is particularly damaging as it often results in the violation of individuals’ basic rights and freedoms. This can include denying access to basic services, such as healthcare and education, or unfairly restricting individuals’ ability to exercise their civil and political rights. Corruption can also lead to increased inequality and poverty, as resources are diverted to benefit those in positions of power rather than the general population. As such, it is a serious concern for human rights advocates and is often addressed through international efforts such as:
- Transparency: All government and non-government organizations should follow a transparent and accountable approach in their operations. There should be strict procedures and mechanisms in place to monitor their activities.
- Education and Awareness: People need to be informed about their fundamental rights and the importance of preserving them. Education and awareness programs can help prevent human rights abuses and increase accountability.
- Political Will: Governments must prioritize human rights, and their policies should reflect this commitment. They should also institute appropriate legislation and mechanisms to protect against human rights abuses.
- Access to Justice: Victims of human rights abuses must have access to effective remedies and justice. The legal system must work towards accountability and justice for all.
- Empowering Civil Society: Civil society organizations, including human rights organizations, should be supported and enabled to carry out their work. They play a crucial role in monitoring human rights abuses and promoting accountability.
Innovations in corruption studies / edited by Alena Ledeneva, Roxana Bratu and Phiipp Köker. 2017.
ISBN 9781781886311
On the RWI shelf under 83 INV
From the publisher: Despite great advances in corruption studies over the last three decades, there is still a lot to learn about corruption and anti-corruption policies. The key question currently driving innovations in corruption studies is why anti-corruption reforms do not work. This volume offers a selection of papers from the international seminar series on innovations in corruption studies in Europe and beyond held by the School of Slavonic and East European Studies, University College London between October 2015 and March 2016. The purpose of the series, which brought together researchers of the project ‘Anticorruption Policies Revisited: Global Trends and European Responses to the Challenges of Corruption’ (ANTICORRP), was to highlight innovations in the field of corruption studies regarding theory, methodology, analysis and policy. The papers here represent a sample of the wider academic debates but focus on integrating expertise relating to Central and Eastern Europe into a comparative framework. The outcome reflects the openness of the authors to work across area and discipline and to ensure cross-fertilization between area studies and the social sciences in general.
Understanding and Fighting Corruption in Europe From Repression to Prevention / edited by Enrico Carloni, Michela Gnaldi. 2021.
ISBN: 9783030824945
Ebook permalink (for LU users)
From the publisher: The volume includes comparative and comprehensive discussions on anti-corruption policies of governments and anti-corruption agencies across Europe. Compared to existing literature that focuses either on general and theoretical aspects related to corruption or on country-specific experiences, this volume provides an interdisciplinary and broad overview of corruption prevention policies and measures undertaken by major European member states, relying both on literature and on institutional documentation of national anti-corruption agencies, which greatly contribute to shaping anti-corruption policy directions. In so doing, it advances the existing theoretical agenda of corruption studies and policies, situating it within wider disciplinary fields. This volume is especially concerned with the interrelationship between good administration, integrity, ethical behaviour and corruption; the role of transparency and digitalisation in preventing corruption and ensuring rights, efficiency and impartiality in the public administration; the measurement of corruption, with specific reference to preventative measures and indicators of administrative anti-corruption efforts; big data, block chains, and artificial intelligence; public management codes of ethics, performance targets and skills, and their role in tackling and preventing corruption; and public procurement, transparency and anti-bribery measures in the European public procurement system. This volume is of interest to graduate students and researchers in political sociology, political science, European corruption law, international relations, public policy, and social statistics.
Making sense of corruption / Bo Rothstein, Aiysha Varraich. 2017.
ISBN 9781316730409
On the RWI shelf under 83 ROT
From the publisher: Corruption is a serious threat to prosperity, democracy and human well-being, with mounting empirical evidence highlighting its detrimental effects on society. Yet defining this threat has resulted in profound disagreement, producing a multidimensional concept. Tackling this important and provocative topic, the authors provide an accessible and systematic analysis of how our understanding of corruption has evolved. They identify gaps in the research and make connections between related concepts such as clientelism, patronage, patrimonialism, particularism and state capture. A fundamental issue discussed is how the opposite of corruption should be defined. By arguing for the possibility of a universal understanding of corruption, and specifically what corruption is not, an innovative solution to this problem is presented. This book provides an accessible overview of corruption, allowing scholars and students alike to see the far reaching place it has within academic research.
Anti-Corruption Evidence The Role of Parliaments in Curbing Corruption / edited by Rick Stapenhurst, Rasheed Draman, Brooke Larson, Anthony Staddon. 2020.
ISBN: 9783030141400
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From the publisher: This book discusses parliamentary oversight and its role in curbing corruption in developing countries. Over the past decade, a growing body of research at the global and regional levels has demonstrated that parliamentary oversight is an important determinant of corruption and that effective oversight of public expenditure is an essential component of national anti-corruption strategies and programs. However, little research has been undertaken at the country level regarding how parliamentary oversight is undertaken, which oversight mechanisms are effective or on how national parliaments interact with other anti-corruption stakeholders. This book presents the results of a new large-scale, quantitative analysis which identifies the mechanisms through which institutional arrangements impact corruption, specifically through country case studies on the Caribbean region, Ghana, Myanmar, Nigeria, Tanzania, and Uganda. Addressing a gap in scholarly knowledge while presenting practical policy advice for parliaments and for anti-corruption assistance agencies, this book will be of use to scholars interested in development, anti-corruption, public finance, as well as members of parliament, anti-corruption practitioners, and organizations working in parliamentary strengthening.
Anti-corruption strategies in fragile states : theory and practice in aid agencies / Jesper Johnsøn. 2016.
ISBN 9781784719708
On the RWI shelf under 83 JOH
From the publisher: Aid agencies increasingly consider anti-corruption activities important for economic development and poverty reduction in developing countries. In the first major comparative study of work by the World Bank, the European Commission and the UNDP to help governments in fragile states counter corruption, Jesper Johnsøn finds significant variance in strategic direction and common failures in implementation.