Tackling corruption is not easy, if it were corruption would not be as prevalent and pervasive as it is in many places around the world. Those who commit corrupt acts have every incentive to get away with them. Moreover, as we eliminate some corrupt behaviors, actors adapt and create new ways to obtain unfair advantages. Therefore, addressing corruption is much like shooting at a moving target yet the consequences of corruption make learning how to tackle these issues an urgent necessity.
So how can responses to corruption bring about meaningful change? How do you motivate and teach people how to fight against corruption?
In this paper, it can be observed that anti-corruption measures going from prevention to prosecution while also addressing education as a way to provide a foundation to corruption prevention and governance building. The approaches which can be used for Anti-corruption are listed under:
In this paper, it can be observed that anti-corruption measures going from prevention to prosecution while also addressing education as a way to provide a foundation to corruption prevention and governance building. The approaches which can be used for Anti-corruption are listed under:
1. Prevention
2. An inter-agency coordinating body
3. Transparency
4. Accountability
5. Participation
6. Rule of law
7. Oversight
8. Incentives
9. Simplification of procedures
10. Education
11. Enforcement
12. Advocacy and lobbying
13. Prosecution
(Helpful video & links: As it can be an effective way to understand the Anti-corruption approaches, Governance and System)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A15IAzhakG4
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4cbEuwqKKqE
1) Prevention
The first strategy is prevention, developing a prevention scheme requires that reformers consider the social and economic context of the nation determine the level of government commitment to addressing the problem and determine what resources are available and needed.
Reformers should also think about whom the stakeholders are and who are the government or non-government entities should participate in the development and enactment of prevention strategies. In order to be effective prevention mechanisms require a high degree of coordination.
In all, corruption prevention will have the greatest impact when and where there is a national focal point group with enough political authority and independence to coordinate all prevention efforts. One option is to create a single agency that acts as an anti-corruption agency; however that may both always be viable as a single unit, usually requires a large budget and an effective staff.
2) An inter-agency coordinating body
A second option is to create an inter-agency coordinating body, where the institution ensure the cooperation of existing institutions that are directly in charge of different tasks to end the corruption problem regardless of the specifics.
Prevention mechanisms are most effective when there is a clearly stated plan and when all efforts are properly articulated and information is shared.
3) Transparency
As second strategy is to curb corruption is to establish the principle of transparency. Transparency allows individuals to know what they can expect from their government.
Moreover, transparency enables the proper control of government actions, both by agencies in charge of oversight as well as by citizens. Establishing publicly available and transparent procedures clearly defines the roles and responsibilities between and within institutions that are part of the government process.
4) Accountability
Another approach is to improve accountability. Public office implies a responsibility to serve the public goods.
However, in the absence of controls, there is nobody watching whether the actions performed by public officials actually follow the objectives and goals that their position entitles. It is therefore important to establish mechanisms to ensure that public officials are accountable for their actions.
5) Participation
Another important idea is the notion of participation. The participation of the population is a key in influencing and controlling government action as people become increasingly involved in shaping the priorities of government and policy making, in resource allocation and in access to public goods and services.
6) Rule of law
The idea of rule of law is also very important. Effective government should be able to contribute to improving the quality of governance in a country by ensuring the primacy of the rule of law.
The rule of law implies that no one is above the law and that everyone is equally obligated and protected by legal provisions. A society where principal of legality is sustained is better equipped to address issues of corruption.
7) Oversight
In terms of oversight, deterring corrupt behavior implies generating strong constraints for actors to engage in corruption and strong incentives to act according to the law.
Few if any elements have a stronger effect on peoples' behavior than the proper and exhaustive oversight of their actions.
When people know that their actions are being scrutinized they know that they cannot get away with improper behavior. Hence, independent and thorough oversight of state actions is a key in deterring corruption.
8) Incentives
Just as oversight imposes constraints on corruption it is important to establish the appropriate incentives to uncover corruption when it does take place.
When individuals return a lost item, they should receive an award. In a similar way, on order to uncover corruption it is important to promote incentives through rewards and protection for people who report corruption or whistle blowers given that they can be invaluable source of information about where corruption and institutional inefficiency take place.
9) Simplification of procedures
Simplifying public procedures can also help avoid opportunities for corruption as they make the transaction between citizens and the services they are entitled too swifter and clearer.
By making information publicly accessible, legal rights are not infringed and obligations of confidentiality are kept. When procedures are complicated, applicants are forced to resort to payoffs to maximize their chances of getting what they want.
10) Education
Many people consider education as the backbone to corruption prevention. In addition to the methods discussed above, educating people of all ages and backgrounds is a key component of to corruption prevention.
Through education, citizens can learn about their rights and become aware of how the government system works and should work and help raise awareness about how corruption is a problem that lowers their standard of living.
As a result of education, citizens learn to think beyond whether giving a bribe contributes to the problem in their country as well as understanding what government services they are entitled to, why corruption occurs and which, if any, institutions are available to help.
11) Enforcement
In line with establishing the right incentives and constraints, it is important not only to establish clear rules but also to properly enforce them. Establishing strong penalties that include time in prison can help make people less likely to violate the law.
Visible examples of these laws being enforced and penalties applied can do even more to deter undesired behavior. If there is a widespread sense that people get away with corruption, there are fewer constraints of future corrupt behavior.
12) Advocacy and lobbying
Another important aspect is advocacy and lobbying. As a result of civic and anti-corruption education, citizens may be inspired to participate with politicians in advocacy and lobbying activities to influence law making.
Advocacy is a strategy for influencing policy makers when they make laws and regulations. It entails creating policies where they are needed or when none exist.
13) Prosecution
Finally, the last step in establishing anti-corruption measures involves the prosecution of those implicated in corrupt acts.
In a relate point to the one made in relation to enforcement, it is important to establish well functioning processes by which corrupt acts are prosecuted and eventually penalized.
An example: Citizens Fighting Corruption in Public Service Delivery, The emerging PTF change model.
An example: Citizens Fighting Corruption in Public Service Delivery, The emerging PTF change model.
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Citizens Fighting Corruption in Public Service Delivery
Source:
(5 weeks training course "Parliaments and Anti-Corruption", The Open Learning Campus, World Bank- Lecture notes as a reference, World Bank Data)
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Successfully completed and passed the 5 weeks training course "Parliaments and Anti-Corruption", The Open Learning Campus, World Bank.
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