Abstract
This paper is intended as a critical response to the emerging consensus within both academic and policy literatures that we are currently facing an epidemic of corruption which threatens to undermine the stability of economic and political development on both a national and global scale, and which requires both immediate and wide-ranging policy interventions. Based on a review of the publications and policy statements of the leading anti-corruption crusaders — namely the OECD, the IMF, and the World Bank — it will be argued that the recent concern with corruption is attributable, not to any substantive increase incorrupt practices, but rather, to the re-framing of corruption in light of broader shifts and transformations within the global economy.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Ades, Alberto and Rafael Di Tella, “The Causes and Consequences of Corruption: A Review of Recent Empirical Contributions,” IDS Bulletin 1996, 27,2, 6–11.
Almond, Michael A. and Scott D. Syfert, “Beyond Compliance: Corruption, Corporate Responsibility and Ethical Standards in the New Global Economy,” North Carolina Journal of International Law and Commercial Regulation 1997, 22, 389–447.
Bray, John, “Bribe Wars: International agencies are ready to escalate the fight against corruption,” Accountancy 1998, March, 30–31.
Doig, Alan, “Dealing with Corruption: The Next Steps,” Crime, Law, and Social Change 1998, 29: 99–112.
Elliott, Kimberly Ann, “Corruption as an International Policy Problem: Overview and Recommendations,” in Kimberly Ann Elliott (ed.), Corruption and the Global Economy, pp. 175–233, (Washington, DC: Institute For International Economics, 1997).
Flannery, Rachel, “The State in Africa: Implications for Democratic Reform,” Crime, Law, and Social Change 1998, 29: 179–196.
Froot, Steven, “US Anti-Corruption Philosophy Gains Ground,” The China Business Review 1998, Jan–Feb., 26–27.
Gardiner, John A., “Defining Corruption,” Corruption and Reform 1993, 7, 111–124.
Gibbons, Kenneth M., “Toward an Attitudinal Definition of Corruption,” in Arnold J. Heidenheimer, Michael Johnston and Victor T. LeVine (eds.), Political Corruption: A Handbook, pp. 165–172, (London: Transaction Publishers, 1989).
Glynn, Patrick, Stephen J. Kobrin and Moises Naim, “The Globalization of Corruption,” in Kimberly Ann Elliott (ed.), Corruption and the Global Economy, pp. 7–27, (Washington, DC: Institute for International Economics, 1997).
Goudie, A.W. and David Stasavage, “A Framework for the Analysis of Corruption,” Crime, Law and Social Change 1998, 29, 113–159.
Gray, Cheryl W. and Daniel Kaufmann, “Corruption and Development,” Finance and Development 1998, 35,1, 7–10.
Hampton, Mark P., “Where Currents Meet: The Offshore Interface Between Corruption, Offshore Finance Centres, and Economic Development,” IDS Bulletin 1996, 27,2, 78–87.
Hariss-White, Barbara and Gordon White, “Corruption, Liberalization and Democracy: Editorial Introduction,” IDS Bulletin 1996, 27,2, 1–5.
Heindenheimer, Arnold J., “Perspectives on the Perception of Corruption,” in Arnold J. Heidenheimer, Michael Johnston and Victor T. LeVine (eds.), Political Corruption: A Handbook, pp. 149–164, (London: Transaction Publishers, 1989).
International Monetary Fund, World Economic Outlook, 1997.
International Monetary Fund, Annual Report, 1998.
Johnston, Michael, “The Search for Definitions: The Vitality of Politics and the Issue of Corruption,” International Social Science Journal 1996, 48,3, 321–335.
Jomo, K.S., “Introduction: Financial Governance, Liberalization, and Crises in East Asia,” in K.S. Jomo (ed.), Tigers in Trouble: Financial Governance, Liberalization, and Crises in East Asia, (New York: Zed Books, 1998).
Kaufmann, Daniel, “Corruption: The Facts,” Foreign Policy 1997, 107, 114–130.
Klich, Agnieszka, “Bribery in Economies in Transition: The Foreign Corrupt Practices Act,” Stanford Journal of International Law 1996, 32, 121–147.
Klitgaard, Robert, Controlling Corruption, (Berkeley: University of California Press, 1988).
Kong, Tat Yan, “Corruption and its Institutional Foundations: The Experience of South Korea,” IDS Bulletin 1996, 27,2, 48–55.
Kopits, George and Jon Craig, Transparency in Government Operations, International Monetary Fund Occasional Paper No. 158, (Washington, DC: International Monetary Fund, 1998).
Leiken, Robert S., “Controlling the Global Corruption Epidemic,” Foreign Policy 1997, Winter, 55–73.
LeVine, Victor T., “Transnational Aspects of Political Corruption,” in Arnold J. Heidenheimer, Michael Johnston and Victor T. LeVine (eds.), Political Corruption: A Handbook, pp. 685–700, (London: Transaction Publishers, 1989).
Mahaney, Mary Claire, “The Foreign Corrupt Practices Act: Curse or Cure?” American Business Law Journal 1981, 19, 73–86.
Mauro, Paolo, Why Worry About Corruption? International Monetary Fund Economic Issues Series No. 6: 1997.
Mauro, Paolo, “Corruption: Causes, Consequences, and Agenda for Further Research,” Finance and Development 1998, 35,1, 11–14.
Meny, Yves, “‘Fin de Siecle’ Corruption: Change, Crisis, and Shifting Values,” International Social Science Journal 1996, 48,3, 309–320.
Muffler, Stephen, “Proposing a Treaty on the Prevention of International Corrupt Payments: Closing the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act Is Not the Answer,” ILSA Journal of International and Comparative Law 1995, Spring, 3–39.
Murphy, Mark J., “International Bribery: An Example of an Unfair Trade Practice?,” Brooklyn Journal of International Law 1995, 21,2, 385–424.
Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development, OECD Working Papers: OECD Symposium on Corruption and Good Governance, Vol. iv,No. 78, (Paris: OECD, 1996).
Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development, Towards New Global Age: Challenges and Opportunities, (Paris: OECD, 1997).
Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development, Draft Principles of Corporate Governance, (Paris: OECD, 1999).
Randall, Lisa Harriman, “Multilateralization of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act,” Minnesota Journal of Global Trade 1997, 6, 657–684.
Roberts, Judith L., “Revision of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act by the 1988 Omnibus Trade Bill: Will it Reduce the Compliance Burdens and Anticompetitive Impact?,” Brigham Young University Law Review 1989, 2, 491–506.
Rodrick, Dani and James E. Rauch, “Comments” in Kimberly Ann Elliott, (ed.), Corruption and the Global Economy, pp. 109–116. (Washington, DC: Institute for International Economics, 1997).
Rose, Nikolas and Miller, Peter, “Political Power Beyond the State: Problematics of Government,” British Journal of Sociology 1992, 43,2, 173–205.
Rose-Ackerman, Susan, “The Political Economy of Corruption,” in Kimberly Ann Elliott, (ed.), Corruption and the Global Economy, pp. 31–60. (Washington, DC: Institute for International Economics, 1997).
Rosenthal, Michael, “An American Attempt to Control International Corruption,” in Arnold J. Heidenheimer, Michael Johnston and Victor T. LeVine (eds.), Political Corruption: A Handbook, pp. 701–718, (London: Transaction Publishers, 1989).
Silbey, Susan S., “'Let Them Eat Cake': Globalization, Postmodern Colonialism, and the Possibilities of Justice,” Law and Society Review 1997, 31,2, 207–235.
Sutton, Robert H., “Controlling Corruption Through Collective Means: Advocating the Inter-American Convention Against Corruption,” Fordham International Law Journal 1997, 20, 1427–1478.
Tarkowski, Jacek, “Old and New Patterns of Corruption in Poland and the USSR,” Telos 1989, 80, 51–62.
Tita, Alberto, “Globalization: A New Political and Economic Space Requiring Supranational Governance,” Journal of World Trade 1998, 32,3, 47–56.
Transparency International, Transparency International Canada Newsletter 1998, 2,2, April, 1–4.
White, Gordon, “Corruption and Market Reform in China,” IDS Bulletin 1996, 27,2, 40–47.
World Bank, Helping Countries Combat Corruption: The Role of the World Bank, www.worldbank.org. 1997a.
World Bank, “Reducing Corruption,” World Bank Policy and Research Bulletin 1997b, www.worldbank.org. 8,3, 1–4.
World Bank, World Bank, IMF Escalate War Against Corruption: Latest Ranking by Transparency International 1997c, www.worldbank.org.
World Bank, Private Capital Flows to Developing Countries: The Road to Financial Integration, (London: Oxford University Press, 1997d).
Zedalis, Rex J., “How Does the New OECD Convention on Bribery Stack Up Against the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act?,” Journal of World Trade 1998, 32,3, 167–184.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Williams, J.W., Beare, M.E. The business of bribery: Globalization, economic liberalization, and the “problem” of corruption. Crime, Law and Social Change 32, 115–146 (1999). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1008375930680
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1008375930680