Combating Corruption in Latin America

Abstract

Corruption persists as a challenge to the consolidation of Latin American democracies and to their economic development. Contrary to many expectations, policies to reduce the size of government, such as the privitization of state firms, have not proved a cure against corruption. In some cases, economic liberalization seems only to have worsened the problem. Combating Corruption in Latin America examines the relationship between democratic and market reforms and corruption, including national strategies for its reduction. Authors from across the region, the United States, and Europe, discuss the nature, methods, and historical antecedents of today's corrupt practices, including issues of institutional design, the role of international actors, and culture. These chapters raise many important questions. Can corruption in some cases be economically efficient? Does the transition to democracy and free markets increase or reduce opportunities and incentives for corruption? What policy responses are in effect at the local, national, and international levels, and are they likely to be effective? How is a growing business culture across Latin America likely to influence efforts for improved government transparency and efficiency? Contributors come from the worlds of academia, government, journalism, and international financial institutions, and bring a range of economic and political perspectives to bear on the subject. They are Alberto Ades, Fernando Carrillo-Florez, Carlos Eduardo Lins Da Silva, Rafael Di Tella, Edmundo Jarquin, Luigi Manzetti, Luca Meldolesi, Luis Moreno Ocampo, Stephen Quick, Susan Rose-Ackerman, Mark L. Schneider, Ibrahim F. I. Shihata, and Laurence Whitehead.