Primum Mobile of a Corrupt Official: The Concept, Features of Development and Preventive Activities

Abstract

The paper examines the internal psychological characteristics of a corrupt official, his main driving force (motivation). The author highlights that the internal motivation of a person is manifested in his needs. Theimpossibility of satisfying basic needs and interests in a legal way pushes a person to choose a corrupt behavior model. The author names selfishness, self-interest and other personal interests as the main primum mobile of a corrupt official.The interest in the motivation of a particular type of crime in the criminological science is broad and boundless. This happens due to the fact that the criminal’s primum mobile is formed along with the criminal’s personality. At the same time, the formation of primum mobile largely depends not only on the internal characteristics of the individual, but also on external factors that affect him.According to the author, the circumstances influencing the formation of the primum mobile of a corrupt official should be eliminated through ideological and social education of the individual with the mandatory creation and application of a system of early censure of corrupt views and guidelines. The process of self-realization of the individual and satisfaction of basic needs and interests should exclude a corrupt behavior model.The author points to the obvious need to expand measures aimed at combating corruption. In order to implement effective measures that guarantee the anti-corruption security of the Russian Federation, it is necessary to minimize or exclude any possibility of acquiring benefits, satisfying the needs and interests of the individual through corrupt practices. The process of self-realization of the individual and satisfaction of basic needs and interests should become as accessible and transparent as possible, and it should exclude a corrupt behavior model.