Abstract
ABSTRACT Scholars and international organizations engaged in institutional reconstruction converge in recognizing political corruption as a cause or a consequence of conflicts. Anticorruption is thus generally considered a centrepiece of institutional reconstruction programmes. A common approach to anticorruption within this context aims primarily to counter the negative political, social, and economic effects of political corruption, or implement legal anticorruption standards and punitive measures. We offer a normative critical discussion of this approach, particularly when it is initiated and sustained by external entities. We recast the focus from an outward to an inward perspective on institutional action and failure centred on the institutional interactions between officeholders. In so doing, we offer the normative tools to reconceptualize anticorruption in terms of an institutional ethics of ‘office accountability’ that draws on an institution’s internal resources of self-correction as per the officeholders’ interrelated work.
Highlights
Scholars and international organizations engaged in institutional reconstruction converge in recognizing political corruption as a cause or a consequence of conflicts
We have devoted this article to the development of a new normative framework for justifying the integration of anticorruption into postconflict institutional reconstruc tion programmes, within an effort to promote an institutional ethics of office
We have developed such a framework in a critical engagement with a common approach to anticorruption within postconflict institutional reconstruction pro grammes
Summary
Scholars and international organizations engaged in institutional reconstruction converge in recognizing political corruption as a cause or a consequence of conflicts. We offer the normative tools to reconceptualize anticorruption in terms of an institutional ethics of ‘office accountability’ that draws on an institution’s internal resources of self-correction as per the officeholders’ interrelated work. Since the mid-nineties, scholars and international organizations have recognized the importance of the corruption of public officials and institutions (in short, ‘political corruption’) as a key security issue and, as such, a threat to institutional action. They have emphasized the causal link between political corruption and a host of conflict-fuelling activities, such as arms trafficking and the support of terrorism. The need for mainstreaming the fight against political corruption is well recognized in the context of postconflict institutional reconstruction.
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
