Preview

Bureaucracy and the Different Cures

Powerful Essays
Open Document
Open Document
6275 Words
Grammar
Grammar
Plagiarism
Plagiarism
Writing
Writing
Score
Score
Bureaucracy and the Different Cures
BUREAUCRACY AND THE DIFFERENT CURES FOR GRAND AND PETTY CORRUPTION

CARL DAHLSTRÖM

WORKING PAPER SERIES 2011:20
QOG THE QUALITY OF GOVERNMENT INSTITUTE Department of Political Science University of Gothenburg Box 711, SE 405 30 GÖTEBORG February 2012 ISSN 1653-8919 © 2012 by Carl Dahlström. All rights reserved.

Bureaucracy and the different cures for grand and petty corruption Carl Dahlström QoG Working Paper Series 2011:20 February 2012 ISSN 1653-8919

Carl Dahlström, Ph.D. The Quality of Government Institute Department of Political Science University of Gothenburg carl.dahlstrom@pol.gu.se

2

Introduction
A well-structured and efficient public administration is a fundamental attribute of civilized society and essential for the state building process, which also means that it influences prosperity over the centuries (Fukuyama 2011; Mann 1986, 1993; Tilly 1985). An “impartial” (Rothstein and Teorell 2008) or “impersonal” (North, Wallis and Weingast 2009) treatment of citizens by the public administration is a basic quality in well-functioning states, and corruption being the opposite of impartiality, the role of public administration is important to understand – for its own sake, but also because the flaws of the administration are likely to spread to the society at large, with crippling long-term effects.1 Both “public administration” and “corruption” are vague concepts. This paper will therefore discuss only some elements of both concepts. I use the term “public administration” when referring generally to different ways of organizing the public sector in a nation state. When discussing the effect of the public administration on corruption, most scholars start from the way the ideal typical bureaucracy was described by Max Weber in the beginning of the 20th century (Weber 1978, chapter 11; concerning Weberian bureaucracy and corruption see for example Rauch and Evans 2000). When I use the term bureaucracy in this paper I therefore use this word



References: Alesina, A. and Tabellini, G. (2007) „Bureaucrats or Politicians? Part I: A Single Policy Task‟, The American Economic Review 97: 169-179. Becker, G. and Stigler, G. (1974) „Law enforcement. Malfeasance, and the compensation of enforces‟, Journal of Legal Studies 3: 1-19. Besley, T. and McLaren J. (1993) „Taxes and bribery: the role of wage incentives‟, The Economic Journal 103: 119-141. Dahlström, C., Lapuente, V. and Teorell, J. (2011) „The Merit of Meritocratization: Politics, Bureaucracy, and the Institutional Deterrents of Corruption‟, Political Research Quarterly available on OnlineFirst. Falaschetti, D. and Miller G.J. (2001) „Constraining Leviathan: Moral Hazard and Credible Commitment in Institutional Design‟, Journal of Theoretical Politics, 13: 389-411. Fischer, W. and Lundgreen P. (1975) „The recruitment of administrative personnel‟, in C. Tilly (ed.), The formation of national states in western Europe. New Jersey: Princeton University Press: 456-561. Folke, O., Hirano, S. and Snyder J. (2011) „Patronage and Elections in U.S. States‟, American Political Science Review 105: 567-585. Fukuyama, F. (2011) The Origins of Political Order. New York: Farrar, Straus and Giroux. Goodnow, F.J. (1900) Politics and Administration . New York: Macmillan. Harling, P. (1995) „Rethinking Old Corruption‟, Past & Present 147:127-58. Hellman, J., Jones, G. and Kaufmann D. (2003) „Seize the state, seize the day: state capture and influence in transition economies‟, Journal of Comparative Economics 31: 751-773. Heclo, H. (1977) A Government of Strangers. Executive Politics in Washington. Washington: The Brookings Institution. Holmberg, S., Rothstein, B. and Nasiritousi, N. (2009) „Quality of Government: What You Get‟, Annual Review of Political Science 12:135–61. Kelman, S. (1987) Making public policy: A hopeful view of American government. New York: Basic Books. Lambert-Mogiliansky, A., Majumdar, M. and Radner R. (2007) „Strategic analysis of petty corruption: Entrepreneurs and bureaucrats‟, Journal of Development Economics 83: 351-367. Mann, M. (1986) The Sources of Social Power. Vol. I. A History of Power from the Beginning to A.D. 1760. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. Mann, M. (1993) The Sources of Social Power. Vol. II. The rise of classes and nation-states, 1760-1914. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. 19 Médard, J.-F. (2002) „Corruption in the Neo-Patrimonial States of Sub-Saharan Africa‟, in A.J. Heidenheimer and M. Johnston (eds), Political Corruption – Concepts and Contexts. New Brunswick & London: Transaction Publishers. Miller, G.J. (2000) „Above Politics: Credible Commitment and Efficiency in the Design of Public Agencies‟, Journal of Public Administration Research and Theory 10: 289-327. Miller, G.J. and Hammond, T. (1994) „Why Politics is more fundamental than Economics: Incentive-Compatible Mechanisms are not credible‟, Journal of Theoretical Politics 6: 5-26. Nieuwbeerta, P., De Geest G. and Siegers, J. (2003) ‟Street-Level Corruption in Industrialized and Developing Countries‟ European Societies 5: 139-165. North, D. Wallis, J.J. and Weingast, B. (2009) Violence and Social Orders. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. Northcote, S.H. and Trevelyan C. E. (1853) Report on the Organisation of the Permanent Civil Service. London: House of Commons. Tilly, C. (1985). „War Making and State Making as Organized Crime‟, in P. Evans, D. Rueschmeyer, and T. Skocpol (eds). Brining the State Back In. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. Painter, M. and Peters, B. G. (2010). „Administrative traditions in Comparative Perspective: Families, Groups and Hybrids‟, in Painter, M. and Peters B. G. (eds). Tradition and public administration. Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan. Rauch, J. (1995) „Bureaucracy, Infrastructure, and economic Growth: Evidence from U.S. Cities During the Progessive Era‟, The American Economic Review 85: 968-979. Rauch, J. and Evans, P. (2000) „Bureaucratic structure and bureaucratic performance in less developed countries‟, Journal of Public Economics 75:49-71. Rose-Ackerman, S. (1999) Corruption and Government. Causes, Consequences and Reform. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. Rose-Ackerman, S. (2006) „Introduction and overview‟, in S. Rose-Ackerman (ed.) International Handbook on the Economics of Corruption. Cheltenham: Edward Elgar. Rothstein, B. and Teorell, J. (2008) „What is Quality of Government? A Theory of Impartial Government Institutions‟, Governance 21: 165-190. Rouban, L. (2007) „Politicization of the Civil Service‟, in B.G. Peters and J. Pierre (eds) The Handbook of Public Administration. London: Sage. Rubinstein, W. D. (1983) „The End of Old Corruption in Britain, 1780-1860‟, Past & Present 101: 55-86. Schultz, D. and Maranto, R. (1998) The Politics of Civil Service Reform. New York: Peter Lang. Sotiropoulos, D. (2004), „Two faces of politicization of the civil service: the case of contemporary Greece‟, in B.G. Peters and J. Pierre (eds) Politicization of the Civil Service in Contemporary Perspective. London: Routledge. 20 Svara, J. (1998) „The Politics-Administration Dichotomy Model as Aberration‟, Public Administration Review 58: 51-58. Teaford, J.C. (1993) The twentieth-century American city. Baltimore: Johns Hopkins University Press. Treisman, D. (2000) „The Causes of Corruption: A Cross-National Study‟, Journal of Public Economics 76: 399-457. Van Rijckeghem, C. and Weder, B. (2001) „Bureaucratic corruption and the rate of temptation: do wages in the civil service affect corruption, and by how much?‟, Journal of Development Economics 65: 307-331. Van Riper, P.P. (1958) History of the United States Civil Service. Evanston: Row, Peterson. Weber, M. (1978) Economy and Society. G. Roth and C. Wittich (eds) Berkeley: University of California Press. Wilson, W. (1887) „The Study of Administration‟, Political Science Quarterly 2: 197-222. 21

You May Also Find These Documents Helpful

  • Satisfactory Essays

    Scholz, J. T., Twombly, J., & Headrick, B. (1991). Street-Level Political Controls Over Federal Bureaucracy. The American Political Science Review, (3). 829…

    • 373 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    Teamcourroptie.org website 4-2-15 What is corruption? Major corruption thrives on a broad base of small corruption-payments orbribes. Anyone who wants to fight corruption and safeguard integrity in governanceshould not only prevent politicians and public officials from unlawfully acceptinggifts, but should also fight the 'high and mighty' that abuse their power andauthority to give privileges such as land rights, permits, diplomas, allowances,money, against a reward.…

    • 470 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Good Essays

    Our book defines bureaucracy as, "a formal organization with a hierarchy of authority and a clear division of labor; emphasis on impersonality of positions and written rules, communications, and records"(177). There are five characteristics of bureaucracies, which are, "1. Clear levels, with assignments flowing downward and accountability flowing upward. 2. A division of labor. 3. Written rules. 4. Written communications and records. 5. Impersonality and replace ability"(177-178). Unfortunately, things rarely work as one intends. When there is a noticeable difference in the way a bureaucracy is intended to operate and the way the bureaucracy actually operates, this is known as, "ideal versus real bureaucracy"(179). It is when we get the real and not the ideal, where we run into the dysfunctions of bureaucracies.…

    • 389 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Over the last few years, the issue of corruption has attracted interest. There are a number of reasons why this topic has come under recent inspection. Corruption scandals have destroyed governments everywhere. For example, the government of Rome, during the time Julius Caesar…

    • 548 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Best Essays

    Public Admin

    • 2486 Words
    • 10 Pages

    This paper examines the relationship linking ethics and bureaucracy. At the start, two main points are made. First, although bureaucracy vilification is accepted, such assertions are typically out of place. Bureaucracy is only a means of managing and organizing citizens, and, therefore, it is subject to similar kinds of analysis done on any other type of organizational structures. Whilst bureaucracy may be subject to analysis, determining whether the bureaucracy fault are intrinsic in its structures, outcomes from improbable expectations, or are merely groundless, is important. Second, contemporary bureaucracy is a creation of the enlargement of the public growth in the belatedly 19th century. The aim behind its acceptance by the administration was to purge extensive political corruption and professionally organize nationalized and local and administration services (Napier, 2010).…

    • 2486 Words
    • 10 Pages
    Best Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    Many experts believe that the majority of frauds within an organization involve employees and executives, with a desire from a combination of selfish greed, quests for power and disregard for the impact of their fraudulent decisions on shareholders and employees. An organization can work to prevent, deter and detect fraud by utilizing a fraud risk assessment and creating an anti-fraud program. Ethics and integrity of management and employees are the foundation of a control system, and major frauds occur due to managers that lack ethics and integrity. To manage the cost of fraud, a proper implementation of an effective and visible anti-fraud program that identifies the fraud risk and is balanced out with the internal controls to manage this cost. An effective organizational architecture seeks intended results in education, detection and deterrence, through interlaced corporate culture, organizational structure and compliance system. Organizational architecture should be tailored to fit an organization’s specific needs and circumstances, which improve firm performance. Corporate culture sets the moral tone for an organization and can be defined as the statements, visions, customs, values, and role models. The visions and commitments from leadership can play a significant role in reducing corruption. A control framework, such as COSO, should then be implemented that includes policies and procedures, which provide the definition of the scope and activities of organizational functions, and include the communication and relationships internally and externally throughout the organization.…

    • 4932 Words
    • 15 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Good Essays

    In the world today, corruption and integrity are widespread issues that plaque many countries around the world. Many countries have to face the possibility of government officials misusing their governmental powers for other purposes. “What constitutes illegal corruption may differ depending on the country or jurisdiction. Certain political practices may be legal in one place and illegal in another. In some countries, government officials have wide or not well defined powers. The line between legal and illegal can be very difficult to draw.” (Political corruption-Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia)…

    • 1964 Words
    • 8 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    corruption has a number of meanings that cover a vast amount of human actions. A general dictionary defines corruption as debased by errors or alterations; synonymous with acculturation , contamination, vitiated, polluted. Obviously all negative images. In dealing with corruption and its effect on a country's economy or political system the World Bank defines the term as the abuse of public office for private gain ( World Bank Report, September 1997). In recent years global concerns for corruption have intensified. Public office is abused for private gain whenever an official extorts, accepts, or solicits a bribe. It is also abused when private agents actively offer bribes to go around public policies and processes for competitive advantage and profit. However, public office can also be violated for personal gain through patronage and infidelity, theft of assets, or the diversion of state revenues. This paper will focus on corruption and its presence in the public sector, how corruption is relevant to developing countries (specifically Nigeria), and finally will look at some different anti-corruption efforts.…

    • 272 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    Bureaucracy and Max Weber

    • 2113 Words
    • 9 Pages

    According to Stephen P. Robbins and Mary Coulter in their book titled Management, bureaucracy can be defined as a form of organisation characterised by division of labour, a clearly defined hierarchy, detailed rules and regulations, and impersonal relationship.…

    • 2113 Words
    • 9 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    Wallace, W. (2005). Public Sector Corruption: Lessons from Daiwa, Sumitomo, and Bank of Estonia. Journal of Public Budgeting, Accounting & Financial Management , 17 (3), 365-397.…

    • 4934 Words
    • 20 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Best Essays

    Corruption in Africa

    • 2482 Words
    • 10 Pages

    References: Boehm, F., (2007). Anti-corruption Strategies as Safeguard for Public Service Sector Reforms. Internet Center for Corruption Research (ICGG): Working Paper No. 23. Retrieved: October 20, 2010 from www.icgg.org/downloads/Boehm - Anti-Corruption as Safeguard for Public Sector Reforms.pdf…

    • 2482 Words
    • 10 Pages
    Best Essays
  • Better Essays

    Corruption is one of the major themes in the post colonial literature in Africa. In the Beautyful Ones Are Not Yet Born, this theme covers the entire book though not clearly stated. The author decided to use the symbols of filthy and rot to represent it. He gives advice to the people of Ghana and other nations about the causes and effects of corruption; he chose to use a special technique of hiding the names of the characters so that he does not conflict with government of the time. This essay therefore will look at the following characters the Bus driver, the conductor, the man, the teacher, the sleep seller, the shitman, the visitor and the allocation clerk. It will further show the significance of the names of characters in relation to the theme of corruption.…

    • 1841 Words
    • 8 Pages
    Better Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    Corruption in Malaysia

    • 7380 Words
    • 30 Pages

    References: : Braun, Miguel & Di Tella, Rafael (2004) Inflation, Inflation Variability, and Corruption. Economics & Politics, Vol. 16 Caiden, G.E. (1981) Public maladministration and bureaucratic corruption, Hong Kong Journal of Public Administration Jon S.T. Quah (1999) Corruption in Asia Countries : Can It be Minimized ?, Public Administration Review Jon S.T. Quah (2001) Combating Corruption in Singapore: What can be learned ? Blackwell Publishers Ltd. Jon S.T. Quah (2003) Curbing corruption in Asia: A comparative study of six countries, Singapore: Eastern Universities Press Lim Hong Hai (2009) Approaching the Public Service: The Basic Issues and Conceptual Lenses New Straits Times (8th December 2011) Poison-pen letters waste resources. http://www.nst.com.my/local/general/poison-pen-letters-waste-resources1.16440 (Accessed 10th December 2011) P. Bardhan (2003) The economist’s approach to the problem of corruption. http://emlab.berkeley.edu/users/webfac/bardhan/papers/number5.pdf (Accessed 14th October 2011) Palmier, L. (1985) The control of bureaucratic corruption: Case studies in Asia, New Delhi: Allied Publishers Pope, J. (ed.) (1996). The TI Sourcebook, Berlin: TI Rose-Ackerman, Susan (2004) The Challenge of Poor Governance and Corruption. http://www.copenhagenconsensus.com/Files/Filer/CC/Papers/Governance _and_Corruption_300404_(0.7MB_version).pdf (Accessed 14th October 2011) Sidek, Mohd. Haji Hassan (2010) Garis Panduan Tindakan Ke Atas Sokongan Yang Diterima Daripada Pemimpin Kerajaan, Individu Berpengaruh Atau Mana – Mana Orang Mengenai Sesuatu Urusan Kerajaan. http://www.mampu.gov.my/c/document_library/get_file?uuid=3147895ca717-4f2c-8b19-e5779ee60a77&groupId=10136 (Accessed 15th October 2011)…

    • 7380 Words
    • 30 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    Corruption in Kenya

    • 4546 Words
    • 19 Pages

    Corruption is a global phenomenon and is not bound to be found only in the developing countries but also in the developed countries of the world. Corruption crosses boundaries or age and is mentioned in the religious books of old such as the Bible (Deuteronomy Chapter 16, verses 19), and in Chinese dynasty of Qin Dynasty (221-207).[1] Examples of corruption in developed countries include in Russia where the government of Putin went through all methods known to them to corruptly take away the petroleum mining from the owner,[2]who also is accused of having acquired the wealth corruptly under the leadership of Boris Yeltin’s rule which cost Russia its valued national resources and gave it to the oligarchy team who supported the political leadership of Russia.[3]There appears to be a very strong relationship between corruption and political leadership with player in each arena supporting the other. This shall be clearly shown in the case of Kenya where some major corruption case seem to have been handled have had some connection in both political and Judiciary quarters. (Goldenberg cases Anglo leasing) discuss on the factors that support the connection between corruption and political leadership. (cost of elections, need for contracts and business deals, status symbol associated by the post, people’s ignorance of their rights etc.…

    • 4546 Words
    • 19 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    Corruption

    • 13890 Words
    • 56 Pages

    I. INTRODUCTION Why is corruption—defined here as the misuse of public office for private gain—perceived to be more widespread in some countries than others?1 Understanding this is important for several reasons. Corruption has been blamed for the failures of certain “developing” countries to develop, and recent empirical research has confirmed a link between higher perceived corruption and lower investment and growth (Mauro 1995; World Bank 1997). Political scandals have sparked public outrage against political corruption in countries across the globe during the last few years, and in every continent at least one incumbent regime has been forced out of office under a cloud. At the same time, corruption is viewed as one of the main obstacles that post-communist countries face in attempting to consolidate democratic institutions…

    • 13890 Words
    • 56 Pages
    Powerful Essays