Ethics or the Right Thing? - Corruption and Care in the Age of Good Governance

Sylvia Tidey's book explores the paradoxical perpetuation of civil service corruption in Indonesia through good governance initiatives,exposing enduring developmentalist fallacies and highlighting the ethics of care and exchange in Indonesian civil servants' lives.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 250 pages
Publication date: 24 June 2022
Publisher: HAU Society Of Ethnographic Theory

A comprehensive exploration of the shortcomings of anti-corruption initiatives in contemporary Indonesia. Through meticulous ethnographic fieldwork in the city of Kupang and a keen historical awareness, Sylvia Tidey unveils the paradoxical consequences of good governance initiatives in perpetuating civil service corruption while simultaneously enabling the emergence of novel manifestations of this misconduct. By drawing upon critical insights from the anthropology of ethics, Tidey challenges enduring developmentalist assumptions that view corruption as a inherent trait of non-Western societies. In reality, corruption in Indonesia often overlaps with the ethics of care and exchange, as Indonesian civil servants strive to create fulfilling lives for themselves and their families. This groundbreaking book holds immense significance for anthropologists and social scientists, particularly those specializing in global studies, development studies, and Southeast Asia. It offers valuable insights into the complex dynamics of corruption and governance in this region, shedding light on the challenges and opportunities for positive change.

Weight: 398g
Dimension: 150 x 228 x 25 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781912808649