Understanding and Addressing Political - Bureaucratic Corruption in Africa: Reflections from Tanzania

Abstract

Systematic literature on the proliferation of political-bureaucratic corruption and ways of fighting it barely exists in Tanzania because political and bureaucratic corruption is dealt with exclusively or is generally associated with corruption. This article, through a conceptual-analytical analysis of relevant secondary data, reveals the factors responsible for Tanzania's vulnerability to political-bureaucratic corruption, elucidates the consequences of political-bureaucratic corruption, and recommends mitigating measures. The article contends that political-bureaucratic corruption is mainly exacerbated due to fragile bureaucratic and political institutions and institutional mechanisms erected to crack down on the vice committed by bureaucratic and political elites. Such institutional fragility strips the legitimacy of the institutions charged to fight it, diminishes development endeavors, and ignites neo-patrimonial social differentiation. As such, containing political-bureaucratic corruption needs an eclectic approach, characterized by a strong political resolve to reinforce state institutions’ zeal in administering law and order, particularly by enhancing the capacities of relevant officials on detection, exposure, and prosecution of politicians and bureaucrats committing corrupt practices irrespective of their status to enthuse trust in their political system.