Political Corruption: The Internal Enemy of Public Institutions

Political corruption is a pervasive issue across the world, often associated with abuse of power and dysfunctional institutions. Emanuela Ceva and Maria Paola Ferretti argue that this view is inadequate and that individual and institutional instances of political corruption have a common root that can only be understood by treating corruption and anticorruption as a matter of a public ethics of office. This book offers an analytically rigorous definition of political corruption and investigates the common normative root of its two manifestations as a relationally wrongful practice. Anticorruption calls on officeholders to work together to maintain an interactively just institutional system.

\n Format: Hardback
\n Length: 240 pages
\n Publication date: 28 September 2021
\n Publisher: Oxford University Press Inc
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Political corruption is a pervasive issue that spans across the globe, manifesting in various forms and contexts. From the erosion of Venezuela's economy due to kleptocracy to the appointment of family members to high-ranking positions in the White House by President Trump, to President Lukashenko's desperate hold on power in Belarus, these examples illustrate the pervasiveness of this problem. While some may argue that individual and institutional instances of political corruption are too numerous to track, Emanuela Ceva and Maria Paola Ferretti contend that a more comprehensive understanding is necessary. They argue that political corruption is not merely a series of isolated incidents but rather a manifestation of a common root that can only be addressed through a public ethics of office.

Political corruption operates as a Trojan horse, undermining public institutions from within through the actions of officeholders. Even well-designed and legitimate institutions can deviate from their intended purposes if officeholders fail to uphold a public ethics of office accountability. This book offers a rigorous definition of political corruption and explores the common normative root of its two manifestations: corrupt individual character and corrupt institutional mechanisms. It views political corruption as a relationally wrongful practice that involves the unaccountable use of power by officeholders in public institutions.

To combat political corruption, it is essential to understand it from within. Anticorruption efforts must mobilize officeholders to remain accountable and mutually answerable for their conduct. This requires a shift in mindset, where officeholders are held responsible for their actions and decisions, regardless of their position or status. It also requires the establishment of robust institutions and mechanisms to prevent and detect corruption, as well as the enforcement of strict laws and penalties for those who engage in corrupt practices.

In conclusion, political corruption is a complex and multifaceted issue that requires a comprehensive and proactive approach. By treating corruption and anticorruption as a matter of public ethics of office, we can work towards creating a more transparent, accountable, and democratic society.

\n Weight: 372g\n
Dimension: 150 x 218 x 25 (mm)\n
ISBN-13: 9780197567869\n \n