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Review of Anti-Corruption Strategies

NCJ Number
217178
Author(s)
Rob McCusker
Date Published
2006
Length
82 pages
Annotation
This technical report provides a review of the literature concerning anticorruption strategies in Australia and details and analysis of anticorruption strategies.
Abstract
A fundamental cause for the relative failure of anticorruption strategies is that they are more often limited to rhetoric, and are only rarely sustained. There are a number of identified difficulties with tackling corruption. However, if systemic corruption is to be mitigated, it is suggested that a broad-based approach be adopted in relation to anticorruption strategies. Three possible arenas for anticorruption reforms are presented and include: (1) agenda setting--many governments have yet to recognize corruption as a serious problem; (2) decisionmaking--attempts to get anticorruption reforms approved yet alone implemented have been mixed; and (3) implementation--many reforms that have succeeded in being enacted have encountered obstacles in execution, often preventing the effective resolution of the problem of corruption. Overall anticorruption efforts need to ensure that governments recognize and prioritize the issue of corruption, that these governments receive assistance with the development of appropriate policy recommendations, and finally that governments are provided with the assistance needed to ensure that policy reforms are implemented. This report is the outcome of the Australian Institute of Criminology’s (AIC) review of the literature concerning anticorruption strategies, specifically identifying the common elements believed to undermine their effectiveness. Tables, figures and references