Perspectives on Corruption

Assistant Editor, Jenna Field,
Concordia University Saint Paul, Minnesota

All of the authors felt corruption was a problem in a majority of the countries in the world.  Most of the authors also came up with similar solutions on how to fight and lower corruption.  The authors felt political and economic reform were the most important steps a country could take to fight corruption.  Some examples of ways to do this is through liberalization of the market, including increasing competition and lowering the trade barriers.  Also, to fight corruption, there needs to be changes with the public officials.  Public officials who have extreme discretionary power need to have some of their power taken away so the opportunities of corruption will be less.  Public officials should be paid higher than they are now so that they will have less incentive to accept bribes because of their high paying jobs.  Public officials who are caught participating in corruption need to be severely punished and the officials who inform the officials of corruption need to be highly rewarded.  However, the fight against corruption can also cause some problems.  Sometimes the corruption that was in the public market can move over to the private market when privatization occurs.  Also, if public officials are being paid more, they will just demand more money when dealing with corruption because the stakes are higher than before.

1. Global Survey of Corruption
   
   
2. Corruption and Foreign Aid
   
   
3. Corruption and Foreign Direct Investment
   
   
4. Impact on Developing Countries
   
   
5. Possible Solutions