Graycar, Adam; Smith, Russell G. --- "Research and Practice in Corruption: An Introduction" [2011] ELECD 988; in Graycar, Adam; Smith, G. Russell (eds), "Handbook of Global Research and Practice in Corruption" (Edward Elgar Publishing, 2011)

Book Title: Handbook of Global Research and Practice in Corruption

Editor(s): Graycar, Adam; Smith, G. Russell

Publisher: Edward Elgar Publishing

ISBN (hard cover): 9781849805018

Section: Chapter 1

Section Title: Research and Practice in Corruption: An Introduction

Author(s): Graycar, Adam; Smith, Russell G.

Number of pages: 9

Extract:

1 Research and practice in corruption: an
introduction
Adam Graycar and Russell G. Smith


Corruption has been a feature of human behaviour since the beginning
of time. It has been part of the structure of human relationships, and
very much bound into the way people live with each other and distribute
status and power. While some say that patronage and rent-seeking have
lubricated social relationships, there is sufficient evidence to show that it
is the poorest who are hurt when this behaviour is institutionalized. It is
even more distressing when the behaviour is unpredictable, irregular, and
random.
International trade has been a feature of human behaviour for millen-
nia. But in recent centuries new transport mechanisms and new technolo-
gies have made for economic interdependence. Compounded by digital
technologies which move money around the world at the speed of light,
and global business moguls who seek advantage opportunistically and
capriciously, corruption takes on a new dimension. Political instability has
also taken on a cross-national dimension, and it is often fuelled by, and in
turn fuels corruption.
Corruption has great significance for society and its governance. While
the level of corruption varies among countries, the impacts of corruption
disproportionally affect the poorest and most vulnerable in any society.
When it is pervasive, corruption weakens economic growth and under-
mines the rule of law for every nation, and invariably deters investment. In
rich countries corruption pushes taxes to higher levels than they need to
be, and services are of lesser ...