Political Corruption Research Articles

Addressing Public Interest Violation Through Independent Anti-Corruption Bodies -A Case Study of the Anti-Corruption and Civil Rights Commission in South Korea

South Korea is a young, experimental democracy with a relatively effective government, often praised as a model of state-led economic development. Although civil liberties have been bolstered since the successful transition from an authoritarian state to a consolidated democracy, corruption remains a persistent concern as hierarchical and authoritarian thinking are profoundly ingrained in society. Since the 1997 Asian economic crisis spurred the emergence of a liberal consensus on government corruption, diverse public institutions and civil society organizations have been actively involved in the fight for transparency and accountability. The creation of an independent anti-corruption agency, the Anti-Corruption and Civil Rights Commission (ACRC), sent a strong message that the government is committed to preventing abuse of power and preserving the public interest. This paper aims to identify and understand the driving factors that led to the committees success in bringing transparency and accountability to the South Korean public sector, so that it may be replicated in other countries. It takes a descriptive approach to examine the strengths and weaknesses of ACRC and analyze its impact through various indirect indicators. The study reveals that the ACRCs all-encompassing strategy for anti-corruption reform has improved the level of integrity and public awareness. However, its autonomy and power are still called into question, suggesting future improvements are needed to realize its full potential, thereby bringing about more profound changes.

The risk of political instability and the performance of Islamic banks: does corruption matter?

Purpose This study aims to investigate the relationship between political instability and the performance of Islamic banks in emerging countries. Design/methodology/approach For a data sample of 93 Islamic banks in 20 emerging countries during the period from 2011 to 2016, the authors identify indicators that matter most for the activities of Islamic banks. Findings The study finds that a stable government and law and order are positively correlated with the health of Islamic financial institutions. On the other hand, corruption and military involvement in politics can create an unstable environment for businesses, leading to uncertainty and risk. The study also reveals that Islamic banks operating in regions or communities with lower risk of socio-economic conditions tend to exhibit higher levels of profitability. Originality/value Overall, the study provides valuable insights into the impact of political instability on Islamic banks in emerging countries.

ADMINISTRATIVE AND LEGAL SUPPORT OF POLICE MANAGEMENT IN THE CONTEXT OF ECONOMIC INTEGRATION

The subject matter of the study is the conceptual, theoretical, empirical and methodological foundations of legal and economic aspects of administrative and legal support for the management of police activities in the context of economic integration. Methodology. The study uses general scientific and special methods of cognition. The dialectical method was used to analyse the essence of police management in the context of economic integration in both the legal and economic dimensions in a wide range of parameters. The analysis provided the basis for a multidimensional study of all the characteristic features of police management in the context of economic integration in economic and legal etymology. The synthesis created the basis for generalising the characteristic features of this police activity as a law enforcement agency. The formal legal method allowed for an accurate interpretation of the legal provisions defining the general and special legal framework for administrative and legal support of police management in the context of economic integration. The article aims at defining the essence of administrative and legal support for management of police activities in the context of economic integration and developing proposals for its improvement. The results of the publication show that the administrative and legal support of police management in the context of economic integration covers a number of comprehensive measures in various areas of activity of the relevant police unit, primarily aimed at ensuring economic security. The paper identifies areas for improving the administrative and legal support of police management in the context of economic integration, with a significant emphasis on lawmaking. Conclusion. In the context of economic globalisation, so-called transnational crimes play a significant role, including the creation of and participation in organised criminal groups, corruption offences, obstruction of justice, and money (income) laundering. The National Police of Ukraine is taking a number of measures to counteract unlawful manifestations in the economic sphere, which are largely components of transnational crime, by implementing appropriate management measures. In the context of administrative and legal support of the National Police, the article examines the structural elements of transnational crime and the powers of the police in this area. Some aspects related to combating crimes committed by organised groups and criminal organisations, corruption offences, economic crimes and the prevention of economic crime were highlighted. In order to overcome the negative manifestations of economic crime in the conditions of economic integration, relevant measures have been proposed, including: participation in legislative work, which should primarily incorporate the best practices of the international community in this area; development of the concept of service activities, which mediate the form and content of law enforcement activities in the economic sphere; improvement of management activities in combating manifestations of corruption in the economic sphere; creation of a qualified personnel potential in the relevant units of the National Police, whose activities are aimed at ensuring economic security in accordance with the above directions, etc. The paper provides proposals for improving the legislative definition of the concept of economic security and delineating the competence of national security entities in this area, including police units.

VIOLATION OF ETHICS BY PUBLIC OFFICIALS IN RELATION TO CORRUPTION CASES

The public ethics of state officials in the administration of clean government holds an important position and role as a guide for good behavior in carrying out their duties. The occurrence of political corruption is not solely attributed to the extent of authority possessed but is also rooted in the violation of the ethics of state officials. This study employs qualitative research methods and a literature approach to explore law violations stemming from breaches of state officials' ethics, focusing on the Hambalang Political Corruption case handled by the KPK. The investigation delves into how violations of state officials' ethics transpire, originating from both the executive and legislative branches.The breach of state officials' ethics in this case is linked to the struggle for interests in securing funds to support a candidate for the general chairmanship of a political party. Beyond implicating the executive and legislature, the corruption also involves the private sector. The manipulation of legal loopholes in preparing the APBN is exploited to inflate the value of the Hambalang project, resulting in substantial budgets, profits, and an escalation of corrupted funds. The case study reveals ethical violations by state officials, characterized by dishonest behavior, data manipulation, and a lack of transparency to secure approval for the Hambalang project. These ethical transgressions are coupled with legal violations, ultimately eroding public trust in endeavors to establish a corruption-free government, particularly concerning officials affiliated with political parties.

How Natural Resources Affect Corruption in China

This study explores the effect of natural resource production on the corruption of local public officials in China. We introduce a novel, micro-level data set on the production of three major fuel resources in China—oil, natural gas, and coal (2000–2005)—and analyze alongside county-level statistics and individual-level survey data. Our analyses show that the effects of resource extraction on corruption vary substantially depending on the type of natural resources exploited. We find that coal production alone is robustly associated with corruption among local public officials in county governments. Moreover, citizens in coal-producing areas are more likely to perceive government officials as corrupt. We posit that the coal industry’s regulation-heavy and labor-intensive production process along with smaller firm sizes are the primary sources of this effect. Our findings suggest effective tackling of resource-related corruption requires careful attention to the type of resources and their link to local political economy.

The dark side of KIBS agency, the creative economy, and regional sustainability

This contribution develops critique from analysing forms of misconduct by knowledge-intensive business services (KIBS) firms, especially the largest, globally located and client-interactive on all five continents. Management consultancy infractions range from supplying spurious advice, to advising clients on fraudulent practice, to acting complicitly in corrupt government practices, including engaging in ‘state capture’ by channelling internal state revenue into private holding bank accounts. Because the litany of misconduct is too massive for encompassing in a single contribution, and in the spirit of this task, the spotlight is only on a few cases that represent typical ‘creative economy’ companies contracted to ‘Big 3′ P-KIBS (Professional KIBS) corporations. Of importance to open innovation’s critical edge, the contribution articulates the puzzle of why academic KIBS research has presented the field without comment on its ‘dark’ side, questioning ‘leadership’ and ‘agency’ ‘observer’ and ‘confirmation bias’. For interpretation of data discovery, we utilise evolutionary ‘pattern recognition’ methodology set within an evolutionary theoretical framework.

The Crime of Corruption Codified in Law Number 1 of 2023

Objective: This research aims to analyze changes in criminal law, particularly in the context of corruption, within the new Criminal Code in Indonesia. It explores the reasons behind the rejection of certain provisions in the new Criminal Code, especially those related to the punishment for corruption offenses. Theoretical Framework: The theoretical framework of this research is rooted in the field of criminal law and legal reform. It considers the evolution of criminal law in response to societal needs and expectations. The study also examines the principle of proportionality in criminal sentencing, particularly concerning corruption offenses. Method: This research adopts a normative legal research approach, relying on an analysis of existing legal texts and previous studies related to criminal law in Indonesia. The primary data sources include statutory laws in Indonesia, while secondary data sources consist of scholarly works and legal analyses. Result and Conclusion: The findings of this research reveal that the rejection of the new Criminal Code is primarily due to the removal of specific articles related to corruption. In the new Code, corruption offenses are no longer categorized as extraordinary crimes but are treated as ordinary offenses, akin to theft. This shift has implications for law enforcement authorities, such as the police, the prosecutor's office, and the Corruption Eradication Commission, as it blurs the lines of their jurisdiction and responsibilities in addressing corruption. Originality/Value: This research contributes to the understanding of the legal changes brought about by the new Criminal Code in Indonesia, with a specific focus on corruption offenses. It highlights the concerns and implications of categorizing corruption as an ordinary offense, potentially impacting the effectiveness of anti-corruption efforts. The study's value lies in its ability to inform policymakers, legal practitioners, and scholars about the complexities surrounding criminal law reform and its consequences in the context of corruption.

The Brass-Bells Drum: An African Literary Writer’s imaging of Neo-colonial woes in Nigeria

Literature reflects and refracts socio-political issues. Novels, a genre of literature, images of socio-political realities with a view to proffering solutions to some of the threats to human and social development. This essay examines the depiction of postcolonial disillusion and neo-colonial woes in Nigeria as represented in Akińwùmí Ìṣọ̀lá’s Saworoide translated, as The Brass-Bells Drum by Pamela Olubunmi J. Smith. The paper hinged on the Marxist Sociology of Literature and Postcolonial approaches, it critically evaluates inept political leadership and corrupt practices. The analysis reveals that corrupt leadership and followership undermine the development of Nigeria. Some of the major challenges undermining the development of Nigeria are the insincerity and insensitivity of political leaders to the plight of the masses, selection/electoral corruption, mismanagement of public funds, abuse of power, neglect of the masses, political assassination, bribery, and corruption. It is established in the novel that, the greatest obstacles to Nigeria’s development are inept leadership and corruption. The paper concludes that the uniqueness of Iṣọla’s discourse of postcolonial woes manifests in the adroit blend of motifs and narrative techniques of political instability, betrayal of trust, acute leadership crisis, and corruption. The novelist advocates harnessing some tangible and intangible cultural heritage as well as communal revolt to checkmate the continuing spread of this menace of (mis)governance in Nigeria.

Financial market development and carbon emissions: The transmission mechanisms and the role of political corruption

This study suggests an indirect effect of the financial markets on the environment and explores the transmission mechanisms through which financial market development affects carbon emissions in China. We identify three key mechanisms: i) sustainability, ii) production, and iii) consumption. Our results document that the sustainability mechanism helps mitigate emissions whereas the production mechanism triggers environmental degradation, and the impact of the latter is greater than the former in magnitude. However, once the negative externality of political corruption on financial market development is considered, the beneficial environmental effect dominates the degradation effect.

Role of Risk Assessment and Mitigation in Strategic Planning in Nigeria

Purpose: The aim of the study was to investigate the role of risk assessment and mitigation in strategic planning in Nigeria.
 Methodology: The study adopted a desktop methodology. Desk research refers to secondary data or that which can be collected without fieldwork. Desk research is basically involved in collecting data from existing resources hence it is often considered a low cost technique as compared to field research, as the main cost is involved in executive’s time, telephone charges and directories. Thus, the study relied on already published studies, reports and statistics. This secondary data was easily accessed through the online journals and library
 Findings: The study on risk assessment and mitigation in Nigerian strategic planning reveals a recognition-action gap in organizations. Despite understanding the importance of risk management, many lack a structured approach to address threats. Common risks include political instability, security concerns, corruption, regulatory changes, and economic volatility. To improve decision-making and stakeholder value, the study recommends a more integrated and systematic approach to risk management within Nigerian organizations.
 Unique Contribution to Theory, Practice and Policy: Game Theory, Resource-Based View (RBV) Theory & Institutional Theory may be used to anchor future studies on the role of risk assessment and mitigation in strategic planning in Nigeria. Nigerian strategic planning should create context-specific risk maps that outline the geographical distribution of risks and vulnerabilities within the country. Nigerian policies should prioritize investments in building resilience to identified risks.

The political economy of political corruption in 21st century Africa: Perspectives from Cameroon and South Africa

AAFrom ancient to modern times, corruption has plagued human civilisation. Its existence confirms that it has been integrated into the social fabric of global society and become a vice of governance. Corruption has dual implications: the direct financial benefit for the perpetrators due to the misuse of entrusted power, which raises the issue of accountability; and the deprivation to society of the allocation of resources. Political corruption results in large amounts of public funds being systematically siphoned off at the expense of society, and against the dictates of the constitutional values of transparency and accountability. For South Africa and Cameroon, political corruption continues to impede growth and development, despite the prevalence of anti-corruption mechanisms in these countries. From a comparative perspective, we investigate the scale and consequence of political corruption in South Africa and Cameroon to analyse the existing anti-corruption mechanisms, strategies and regimes in the two countries in combatting political corruption. We further analyse how and to what extent courts, particularly the Special Crime Court in Cameroon, have been able to address the issue. Furthermore, we demonstrate the similarities between high-level abuse of power in South Africa and Cameroon, notwithstanding existing anticorruption mechanisms. We conclude that a proactive system of checks and balances is urgently required to quench the growing cancerous phenomenon of political corruption in Africa, specifically in Cameroon and South Africa.

The Impact of Corruption on Migration: Evidence from the Western Balkans

The fight against corruption remains one of the most fundamental problems for Western Balkans societies and governments. Hiring in the public sector is often determined by networks and clientelism. The exchange of favours and loyalty to a patron are the “normal” ways to access economic opportunities. As a result, a considerable portion of the population considers emigration as the only path to succeed. The main objective of this study is to analyse the impact of corruption on Western Balkan migrant stocks over the years from 2012 to 2020. The selected time period depends mainly on data availability and frequency. A gravity-based equation is developed to explain changes in the number of immigrants living in 31 European destinations. The proposed econometric model confirms the statistical significance of corruption variables in migrant stocks of receiving countries. Individuals tend to move from countries with high levels of corruption and poor governance toward richer and less corrupt destinations.

Revitalizing Political Parties in Indonesia: Dissecting Patronage-Clientelism Dynamics vis-à-vis Political Representation

Abstract: This paper discusses and describes the patron-client phenomenon within political parties. One of the reasons why patron-client relations persist in political parties is that the interests of the political elite are veiled and do not prioritize the dynamic aspects of democratization of political parties as a forum for people's representation. The method used in this study is a normative juridical research method using a statutory and conceptual approach and presented in a formal way qualitative descriptive prescriptive. Data was collected using the interview method, the researcher interacted with informants who were flexible and open to obtain the data needed in this paper. The theory used in this paper is the general patron-client theory, which has developed and is influenced by the political culture within the internal political parties. The results of this study indicate that the patron-client relationship between political parties and cadres is good in the aspects of party elites and candidates legislature. Regional head candidates that occur give rise to a reciprocal relationship which has implications for the non-occurrence of democratization schemes and principles within political parties as a forum for people's representation that will fill public positions. The patron-client phenomenon includes, among other things, personal gifts, interests that are family interest or morphological and have the nuances of money interest. Purpose: To find out the forms of patron-client practices within political parties and society that give rise to reciprocal relationships that impact political polarization of representation that does not work well and is far from the principle of political party cadres as a representation of the people's will. as well as finding ideal concepts related to patterns of relations between parties, both relations between cadres, political parties and society in general. Design/Methodology/Approach: Normative juridical using the statute and conceptual approaches. Findings: The patron-client phenomenon can be caused by a lack of awareness and political education, as well as inconsistency and inadequate performance within political parties, both at the institutional level and among members of the legislature and executive. Originality/Value: Examining patronage-clientalism within the context of political parties has received limited scholarly attention. The topic of voting behaviour during general elections often revolves around patronage-clientelism. However, this study specifically examines the phenomenon of patronage-clientelism within political parties and its implications for political corruption.

Review of Emanuela Ceva and Maria Paola Ferretti, Political Corruption: The Internal Enemy of Public Institutions (Oxford: Oxford University Press 2021)

Review of Emanuela Ceva and Maria Paola Ferretti, Political Corruption: The Internal Enemy of Public Institutions (Oxford: Oxford University Press 2021)

Intersectional environmentalism: Russell C. Leong’s “Azure in Angel City: A Blues Sketch, Part One”

ABSTRACT Russell C. Leong 梁志英’s picaresque ballad, “Azure in Angel City: A Blues Sketch, Part One”, alludes to the Chinese classic saga, Journey to the West, to conjure up a modern odyssey that begins in the Los Angeles River and ends in Sri Lanka. It features four characters from Los Angeles, Cambodia, China, and Tongva land. By working together the quartet braves the world today: racism, poverty, police brutality, political corruption, rampant consumerism, ecological destruction, and spiritual void. The poem exemplifies what Leah Thomas calls “intersectional environmentalism”, whereby interdependent living among those most marginalized can be most sustainable. The ballad embeds allusions to the Bible, Buddhism, Hinduism, Taoism, Greek mythology, Tongva beliefs, and Sanskrit literature including Méghadúta, Ramayana, and Mahabharata. The article’s analysis shows how diasporic Chinese literature epitomizes world literature, and how cross-cultural coalition offers a solution, based on intersectionality and social interdependence, to our discordant world.

Book Reviews: Illicit financial flows from South Africa: Decolonial perspectives on political economy and corruption

Book Reviews: Illicit financial flows from South Africa: Decolonial perspectives on political economy and corruption

Scandal frames (Political News)

Scandal frames (Political News)

Governance, Ethics and Public Service Delivery: The Ramifications of Corruption

The purpose of this paper is to illustrate the repercussions of corrupt practices in the South African public sector and to recognise the critical need for ethical control to promote good governance. Since the advent of democracy in 1994, there has been a myriad of incidents of corruption involving public servants in South Africa. Corruption is now recognised as one of the South African government's greatest challenges, with numerous consequences for public service delivery in that the resources that are meant to assist the poor are diverted to benefit a few corrupt officials. Corruption undermines democracy and social justice, thus deepening poverty, increasing organised crime and stunting efforts to stimulate human security. The incidents of corruption characterised by colossal theft, embezzlements and rampant bribery are the basis of knowledge around the ability of the government to deal effectively with dishonesty. The paper will use a literature review to argue and demonstrate that despite the devotion of the government to combat unethical conduct of public servants by formulating various pieces of legislation and policies as an attempt to address the problem of unethical behaviour, the tribulations of corruption and problems of immoral conduct by public servants continue to escalate, thus, perpetuating poor provision of public service. The paper concludes that continued unethical practices by public servants cannot go unpunished; ethics must be enforced to enhance public service delivery.

Eradicating public official corruption Indonesia: a revolutionary paradigm focusing on state financial losses

This research explores additional ways to eliminate corruption caused by authority abuse that hurts public finances. The present paradigm of corruption eradication in Indonesia still focuses on punishment, disregarding one of the Anti-Corruption Law's goals, state financial loss restitution. This research is normative, statutory, conceptual, and case-based. The results show that the administrative law approach to eradicating criminal acts of corruption due to government official abuse of authority focuses more on returning state losses through initial supervision by internal government agencies, such as the Government Internal Supervisory Apparatus. APIP has direct prosecution and compensation powers. The Supervisory Agency (BPK) finds state financial losses, it is better to take administrative action to recover them by communicating with APIP for time efficiency in eradicating corruption and recovering state losses. Third, sanctions in the authority that results in state financial losses are contained in Article 20 Juncto 21 of Law Number 30 of 2014 concerning governance, which only provides administrative sanctions of dismissal and does not require government officials to return state financial losses.

Renewal of Business Licensing Policy Through OSS Implementation: Perspective of the Job Creation Law

This research examines the dynamics of business licensing policy and the adoption of the Online Single Submission (OSS) system as a risk-based solution in public services. This research assesses the legal aspects of the business licensing policy, particularly focusing on OSS in order to be able to evaluate its impact on the efficiency and effectiveness of public services. Using a juridical approach, this research conducts a thorough legal analysis of relevant laws, regulations and judicial precedents that emphasise the importance of the OSS system in simplifying licensing procedures and reducing administrative burden. Through a risk-based approach, the OSS promotes transparency, accountability and fairness as well as enhances legal certainty which also minimises the risk of corruption of authorised state officials. The study also identifies many challenges such as data privacy issues, security from cybercrime and potential conflicts in the decision-making process that will be addressed to improve the effectiveness and sustainability of the OSS system. This research will contribute to the study of law and public administration providing valuable insights for policy makers and the OSS system. The OSS policy also promotes good governance, facilitates economic growth and improves the quality of public services.