Anti-corruption Policies Research Articles

TOWARDS THE CRIMINALISATION OF PROMISING/OFFERING A BRIBE AND CONSENTING TO A BRIBE IN KAZAKHSTAN

At present in Kazakhstan, the increase in the number of corrupt criminal offences, including on the partof high officials, heads of a number of Kazakhstani companies, is due to a stronger political will of the headof state to resolutely oppose corruption. Such a desire allows paying attention to criminal law norms, whichoccupy an important place in the set of measures to combat a systemic vice of the state, jeopardising nationalsecurity. The potential of criminal law in anti-corruption policy has not been exhausted. The discussion ofanti-corruption fight is very relevant against the background of possible implementation of norms of anticorruption international standards into the Kazakh criminal law, which contradict the doctrinal provisionsof the Kazakh criminal law. This study is devoted to the assessment of possible criminalisation of promising,offering and agreeing to receive a bribe in order to strengthen the criminal law fight against corruption. Theproposed changes, in the author's opinion, do not allow to hope that they will ultimately serve the realisationof a useful goal of Kazakhstan's anti-corruption policy, and open the ground for aninformed discussion onfurther fight against corruption.

Committing corruption-related crimes in commercial and other organizations and ways to counter them

Relevance. The relevance of the research is due to the need to improve the measures of criminal law in connection with the multiplicity of complex issues and consequences of corruption and its criminal manifestations. Purpose. The purpose of the paper is to analyze the state of corruption in commercial and other organizations and identify ways to counter this phenomenon. Methodology. The theoretical approach, the dogmatic approach, the formal legal approach, the method of legal hermeneutics, the method of deduction should be noted among the methodological approaches used. The concept of a corruption crime was analyzed through the prism of various approaches, namely, doctrinal, legislative and departmental. Results. Clear criteria were established, which made it possible to minimize disagreements in the legal assessment of acts as corrupt. The issue of the negative impact of corruption on the public life of the state as a whole was also considered, necessitating analysis of the existing preventive anti-corruption measures. It was noted that at the moment there are positive results in filling positions in the state executive bodies in a manner that is based on meritocracy principles. A special role in counteracting corruption-related crimes is occupied by preventive educational measures among the population in relation to these crimes. An equally important aspect is the identification of the need for further implementation of the provisions of international conventions, which are effective preventive tools for abuse of po0hwer for mercenary purposes, into the current domestic legal framework. Conclusions. The practical value of the results obtained lies in providing ways to improve the effectiveness of the current anti-corruption policy and reduce the incidence of corruption-related crimes.

Роль вищих органів державної влади в євроінтеграційних процесах України

This scientific article examines the process of preparation and accession of the state to the European Union (EU) with an emphasis on the work of higher authorities. The authors analyze the key aspects and stages that include the transition to European norms and standards, as well as the reforms necessary to comply with EU standards. The article examines the role of parliament, government, and other authorities in the implementation of European policies and legislation, and evaluates their effectiveness in this process. The study is based on the analysis of practical steps and strategies that have been used by various countries during their path to EU accession. The main conclusions of the article are aimed at revealing the key factors of successful entry and work of higher authorities in this context, including political will, reform measures and mechanisms for monitoring and evaluating progress. Among the highest state authorities that that play an important role in the process of Ukraine's accession to the European Union are are: 1) the Parliament of Ukraine, which provides legislative regulation of the process of European integration process. The Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, which has adopted a number of laws, aimed at harmonizing the current legislation with the EU requirements, in particular, in the human rights, corruption and economic reforms; 2) the President of Ukraine, who acts as the head of the delegation Ukraine's President, who acts as the head of Ukraine's delegation in negotiations with the EU. His active support is important to facilitate the process of European integration. The President has ordered a number of reforms and initiated important international agreements, such as Association Agreement with the EU; 3) the Government of Ukraine, whose key task is to implement reforms and European standards. Among the main priorities are justice, anti-corruption policy, increasing economic stability and social and social protection of the population.

Personal income tax, redistribution and income inequality in Sub-Saharan Africa

We assess the roles of personal income tax and fiscal redistribution in income inequality for 30 Sub-Saharan Africa economies from 1980 to 2020, employing the dynamic common correlated effect and cross-sectional augmented autoregressive distributed lag estimators. Empirical results show that personal income tax positively affects income inequality in the full sample SSA economies. Compared to the full sample, the magnitude of the effect remains positive but smaller for non-least developed countries (countries not classified as least developed countries in our sample). However, personal income tax has a negative effect on income inequality for least developed countries. Additionally, fiscal redistribution increases inequality in Sub-Saharan Africa economies and non-least developed countries, while it lowers inequality for least developed countries. Interestingly, fiscal redistribution reduces the level of the positive impact of personal income tax on inequality over the full sample. The main policy implication of this research is that well-designed redistributive fiscal measures associated with anti-corruption policy and good governance may help policymakers to reduce the positive effect of personal income tax on inequality in Sub-Saharan Africa economies.

POST-WAR RECOVERY OF UKRAINE: REFORMS AND PUBLIC POLICY INITIATIVES

The article analyses the main directions of formation of the State policy on post-war re­construction of Ukraine, which consists in timely implementation of reforms and creation of conditions for their effective implementation. The author analyses the proposals for priority reforms and strategic initiatives reflected in the action plan for post-war recovery and develop­ment of Ukraine. It is established that the Recovery Plan in the field of European integration and public administration reform are cross-cutting, as they serve as the foundation and contrib­ute to the further promotion and implementation of all reforms in the country. It is established that among the problems that arise today within the framework of the European integration process are the following: policy development system - the lack of a legal framework that would regulate the entire process of policy analysis and development, and a prescribed strategy for its development. It is determined that the main aspects of public admin­istration reform should be the creation of a modern model of public authority to help ensure state security and law and order, territorial development in accordance with the principles of EU regional policy and the development of sectoral management mechanisms in accordance with the European principle of freedom, management of public affairs and provision of pub­lic services. It is noted that in order to implement the anti-corruption policy, it is appropriate not only to strengthen the regulatory and legal component, but also to involve civil society institutions in combating corruption, since they are mediated by the purpose of mediation be­tween the population and the State. Among the functions that civil society should perform in anti-corruption activities are: control of access to information, its truthfulness and openness, protection of the rights of certain social groups, and active interference in the activities of state bodies to stop corruption.

Initiatives in Combating Corruption in Malaysia: A Way Forward

Corruption is a heinous crime. The offence happens at all levels of society and nations. Corruption has hindered the efficiency of a country's governance and administration system. Since the 1950s, Malaysia has made several efforts to combat corruption. However, despite several efforts, corruption is still the main threat and serious offence, as reported in the Annual report 2021 by the Bank Negara Malaysia. Thus, this paper examines and analyses the initiatives undertaken to combat corruption cases in Malaysia. This study employed qualitative research by analysing the primary and secondary legal sources and the official reports and documents by authorities. In this relation, this paper is significant as it provides the legal and economic perspectives to raise the issues related to corruption based on international requirements and the Malaysia scenario. This paper also provides recommendations for adopting Singapore's anti-corruption policy and preventive measures to improve Malaysia's initiatives and action in combating corruption.

Ethical codes for public administration – reflection of EU core values or part of national anti-corruption policy? Example of the Czech Republic and Ukraine

Ethical codes for public administration – reflection of EU core values or part of national anti-corruption policy? Example of the Czech Republic and Ukraine

Коррупциофобия как фактор снижения управленческой инициативности среди государственных и муниципальных служащих в среде «государство – общество»

The article is focused on the phenomenon of corruption phobia among the officials of the Russian Federation as a phenomenon that reduces the level of managerial initiative, inhibits the creative approach of modern bu-reaucracy to professional activities, and blocks constructive dialog between the state and society. According to the authors, “corruption phobia” means the fear of committing a domestic or professional action that could be considered a corruption offense or a violation of anti-corruption legislation, which would be followed by appro-priate punishment. However, this fear leads to the suppression of aspirations for social interaction and causes a decrease in managerial initiative and responsiveness among officials. The phenomenon of corruption pho-bia is considered by the authors in the context of analyzing the differences between systemic and demonstra-tive options for countering corruption in the state. In conclusion, the authors formulate necessary adjustments to a number of areas of state and regional anti-corruption policy (in terms of coverage of the topic in the media and the Internet, the content of educational activities), including in relation directly to officials.

Corrupting climate change institutions from the inside Systemic Collusion in the Peruvian Forest Governance

This article aims to contribute to the literature on natural resource corruption by analyzing the subnational political economy behind the little enforcement of anticorruption policies. Building on the political ecology approach to corruption, this article focuses on how economic and political interest colludes in a hybrid or ambivalent system that reproduces over and over corrupt practices. Zooming on the subnational case of Ucayali, we find four main factors contributing to understanding the poor enforcement of subnational governments of new forest regulations to reduce deforestation. The first one is infrastructural capacity, which is essential to understand the issue at hand, but it alone is insufficient to comprehend the systemic corruption in the forest sector. A second factor is the decentralization process and the subnational political economy. Our analysis shows the importance of economic and political dynamics at the subnational level in shaping national anti-corruption and deforestation reforms. A third element to consider is the divergent perspectives on the development of the Amazon. While in Peru, the environmental sector has witnessed significant growth at the national level, it still holds limited political influence. Conversely, positions advocating for economic activities that adversely impact the Amazon forest, such as extensive agriculture, exert more control over the region. A fourth factor is the historical marginalization of indigenous groups, who can serve as valuable allies in driving reforms.

THE GOVERNMENTAL COMMISSION ON ADMINISTRATIVE REFORM AS A SPECIAL FEDERAL COLLEGIAL COORDINATION BODY FOR COMBATING CORRUPTION IN THE RUSSIAN FEDERATION

Purpose of the study: to assess and optimize the anti-corruption powers of the Government Commission for Administrative Reform. Research methods: structural analysis of legal regulation was used as the main research method. Research results: the paper presents the results of the study of anti-corruption competencies of the Government Commission on Administrative Reform, as a result of which the author came to the conclusion that the said Commission is a special federal collegial coordinating body on the formation and implementation of the state policy of combating corruption in federal executive bodies, the activities of which are managed by the Government of the Russian Federation. Its main competences include: monitoring of the implementation of the state anti-corruption policy in the federal executive authorities, the activities of which are managed by the Government of the Russian Federation; control over the quality and timeliness of the implementation of anti-corruption measures in these authorities; their organizational and methodological support on anti-corruption issues. Scientific novelty: for the first time in the domestic science the assessment of the Government Commission on Administrative Reform as a specialized body for the formation and implementation of the state policy of combating corruption in the federal executive bodies, the management of which is carried out by the Government of the Russian Federation is given. Practical significance: the mechanisms proposed by the author for the implementation of the state policy of combating corruption by the Government Commission on Administrative Reform in the federal bodies of executive power, the management of which is carried out by the Government of the Russian Federation can be used in improving its activities.

Dennation of the Strasbourg Criminal Convention for Corruption: change in Russian anti-corruption policy or forced protection of national interests?

Purpose of research: to identify or eliminate the risks of a decrease in the effectiveness of anti-corruption activities after Russias denunciation of the Criminal Law Convention on Corruption (Strasbourg, 1999).
 Methods and objects of research: In the process of conducting the research, general scientific methods of cognition, which are used in legal sciences, were used. The dialectical method was used in a general assessment of the risks of refusing international cooperation in the fight against corruption, the logical method, methods of comparative analysis and synthesis were used in the study of regulations of modern Russian anti-corruption legislation and relevant sources of international law. Additionally, other private scientific research methods were also used.
 Main results of research: the Russian Federation, having denounced the 1999 Strasbourg Convention on Criminal Liability for Corruption, did not revise the strategic goals and objectives of anti-corruption activities. Corruption is still considered a threat to national security, and the fight against this socially dangerous phenomenon is a priority of government policy. The denunciation of this Convention and Russia's withdrawal from the specialized international organization the Group of States against Corruption (GRECO) is due to the need to protect national interests and maintain the status of a full participant in international relations.

Особенности реализации Национального плана противодействия коррупции на 2021-2024 годы на территории Мурманской области

The prevention of corruption in all spheres of life, including in the public sphere, has been singled out by the President, the Government of the Russian Federation and the legislator as one of the priority areas for the activities of public authorities. The increased relevance of this issue is due to the special military operation being carried out today and the sanctions policy of unfriendly countries that is in force in relations with our country. Proper implementation of planned anti-corruption measures is a key task for all executive bodies of the Murmansk region.
 In the author's publications published earlier, an assessment was made of the implementation of the National Anti-Corruption Plan for 2018-2020 in the Murmansk Region and the role of executive bodies in this matter. As part of the study, the features of the implementation of the National Anti-Corruption Plan for 2021-2024 in the Murmansk Region will be identified and promising directions for its development for 2023-2024 in the Murmansk Region will be formulated.
 Separate results of the study are taken from the Report on the implementation of the Plan of Main Anti-Corruption Actions in the Murmansk Region in 2022, posted on the website of the Department for the Implementation of Anti-Corruption Policy of the Murmansk Region and from in-person attendance at the Meeting of the Commission for the Coordination of Anti-Corruption Work in the Murmansk Region, a member of which is the author of this article.

Search and Matching in Political Corruption

Abstract We develop a search and matching model to analyze the dynamics of the political corruption market. This model serves as a framework for evaluating the effectiveness of a set of anti-corruption policies. Contrary to expectations, conventional policies such as enhancing penalties or allocating greater resources to criminal investigations do not universally emerge as the most effective tools. For mitigating small-scale political corruption, the optimal strategy is to curtail corruption signaling, achieved, for instance, through enhancing transparency and competitiveness in the exchanges between entrepreneurs and politicians. For large-scale corruption, raising the costs of corruption signaling proves less effective as a deterrent compared to ex-post policy measures, such as improved detection effectiveness and harsher sanctions.

An Exploratory Research of Anti-Corruption Policy Using Blockchain

Research on the use of blockchain is increasing in various fields, and discussions are also starting in the anti-corruption field due to the impossibility of forgery and alteration of blockchain. The following research questions can be considered regarding anti-corruption policies using blockchain. Can blockchain be used as a new tool to prevent corruption? How is an anti-corruption policy using blockchain different from existing policies, and what are the advantages? What are the conditions necessary to introduce an anti-corruption policy using blockchain? Are there any negative aspects to anti-corruption policies using blockchain? This study sought to provide answers to these research questions. To find answers to the research questions, we selected studies that attempted case analysis targeting Indonesia, South Africa, and China from the existing literature and conducted an in-depth analysis. In addition, we evaluated the usability of anti-corruption policies using blockchain by dividing corruption into corruption involving financial transactions and corruption not involving financial transactions. The possibility of utilizing blockchain was examined by dividing anti-corruption policies into proactive and reactive policies. As a result of this work, the following arguments were presented. First, blockchain can be used as an anti-corruption tool in corruption involving financial transactions, so it is suitable for procurement administration and anti-corruption audits. Second, blockchain technology can be used not only as a proactive anti-corruption tool but also as a reactive anti-corruption tool. Third, blockchain-based anti-corruption policies are expected to reduce costs and have a higher deterrence against corruption compared to existing anti-corruption policies, so they are expected to be highly effective when introduced in developing countries. Fourth, in order for a blockchain-based anti-corruption policy to work properly, it must be introduced throughout the country's financial transaction system, and public officials must have an understanding of blockchain. Lastly, we must be wary of falling into technological omnipotence, knowing that blockchain can only be an anti-corruption policy but not a panacea that can completely eliminate corruption.

Do anti-corruption campaigns affect corporate environmental responsibility? Evidence from China

This paper examines the anti-corruption campaign in China as an exogenous shock using data on Chinese energy firms from 2010 to 2016. It conducts a quasi-natural experiment using a difference-in-differences model to examine the effect of anti-corruption policies on corporate environmental responsibility. Our findings show that the anti-corruption campaign makes energy firms improve their corporate environmental responsibility. The greater the degree of marketization in the province where the firm is headquartered, the larger the campaign's impact on corporate environmental responsibility. Furthermore, anti-corruption policies have a greater impact on firms with more financial resources and higher analyst coverage. The paper provides the regulator with several policy recommendations for improving corporate environmental responsibility.

Assessing tax collection efficiency of G20 countries: an analysis of tax potential, tax evasion and anti-corruption efforts

PurposeThis paper aims to determine the tax potential of G20 countries and estimate the tax revenue they could generate. The study evaluates the effectiveness of tax revenue collection for G20 nations from 2008 to 2020 and investigates the relationship between tax collection efficiency and tax evasion. The study also examines the link between tax collection efficiency and a proxy for tax evasion through anti-corruption efforts.Design/methodology/approachThe study assumes that tax collection is a function of gross domestic product (GDP), population, imports and price level. The study uses a stochastic frontier analysis to calculate the efficiency of tax collection. It estimates the loss in total tax collection due to inefficiency by comparing actual and best-practice tax collection.FindingsThe findings indicate that anti-corruption measures and technological advancements positively impact tax collection efficiency. Great Britain is identified as the most efficient country in tax collection, whereas Saudi Arabia is the least efficient. Germany has the highest losses in tax collection due to inefficiency, while Australia experiences the lowest losses in tax collection.Originality/valueThis study suggests several practical implications. For example, legislators and policymakers should pay more attention to anti-corruption policies. Also, tax agenesis should focus on better understanding variations in tax collection efficiency between countries and how they relate to tax evasion.

Sustained Growth and Anti-Corruption Policies in Egypt

Sustained Growth and Anti-Corruption Policies in Egypt

Corruption Prevention Strategies in Government Institutions: A Case Study of Anti-Corruption Policies Implementation in the Public Sector

The increasing corruption of public services is fueled by system weakness and the need to prevent the country's existing moral endemption. The study was intended to outline the prevention of public service corruption in criminal optics. The method of studies USES normative legal research, through constitutional and conceptual approaches. Studies suggest that governments must pursue policies to prevent the corruption of public services, which is: Adopting crime-prevention theories, such as situational crime prevention, strengthening bureaucratic ethics and governance through good corporate governance, highly sanctioning bureaucrats who receive gratuities in their performance, reward honest bureaucrats, socializing the massive and systematic impact of corruption of sda in society, forming integrated online licensing systems, organizing bureaucratic cultures, And improved licensing process time limits.

미국의 부패경찰관 규제시스템에 관한 연구

This study analyzes the corrupt police officer regulatory system in the United States and presents its dilemma or implications. Due to the complex legal system in the United States, the punishment for the same corruption is different. This gives police officers the false impression that a colleague has been sacrificed in order to uphold noble justice. Federal disciplinary laws make it difficult to punish corrupt police officers because they determine the necessity of using firearms or violent force from the police officer's point of view. After all, the government is making a practice of closing corruption cases with a large civil settlement. Sanctions are required when the New York Police Commissioner does not accept the civil complaint review committee's disciplinary recommendation for corrupt police officers.Violence and excessive use of firearms by US police officers are increasing the number of civilian deaths. It should be recognized that punishing only the problem cops, like the rotten apple theory, is not an essential solution. Corruption among civilian police officers is also serious, and a separate anti-corruption policy is needed. US police need to make efforts to restore the trust and status of the police, which have been lost to the extent that the theory of abolition of the police force is spreading. In addition, the corruption control system of the police organization should be systematically overhauled.

Addressing corruption through visual tools in India: the case of three civil society initiatives and their Facebook pages

In the past decades, several grassroots movement organisations across the world have tackled the issue of corruption with the aim of mobilising knowledge on this widespread problem. In our paper, we look at three bottom-up civil society organisations and collective actors fighting for greater transparency and curbing of corruption in Indian society, highlighting how they employ visuals to debate on these issues and to communicate their mission to their audiences. The focus is on how the initiatives employed visuals to discuss a particular anti-corruption policy of the central government. In particular, our paper sheds light on the dynamics between the three initiatives and the government especially at a time when democratic credentials of the country are in decline. Inspired by Rodriguez and Dimitrova’s four levels of visual framing, we propose a revised schema for visual framing analysis, taking into account contextual dimensions, in our study of visuals as tools enhancing public debates on corruption and anti-corruption practices.