Professional Development Programs for Parliamentarians and their Staff: Curbing Corruption.
-
Upload
louisa-sims -
Category
Documents
-
view
214 -
download
0
Transcript of Professional Development Programs for Parliamentarians and their Staff: Curbing Corruption.
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.