Brookings: Topics - Corruption

Foreign Policy

Mon, 23 Nov 2009 16:23:32 GMT

The U.S. and the international community face great challenges in the 21st century—globalization offers more freedom and prosperity, but also new threats to our security. The Foreign Policy Studies scholars and research help policymakers and the public address these crucial issues.

Corruption Index Today, Election Tomorrow, Aid Revamp the Day After?

Wed, 18 Nov 2009 00:00:00 GMT

In reaction to news of brazen corruption in Afghanistan and the release of the new Corruption Perceptions Index, Daniel Kaufmann asks tough questions about the relationship between aid and corruption and suggests improvements in how development aid effectiveness is reviewed.

Police Reform a Reason for Hope in Afghanistan

Mon, 16 Nov 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Lost in the ongoing Afghanistan debate is a promising effort to foster reform in building the Afghan police force, writes Michael O'Hanlon. Just back from a trip to the country, O'Hanlon notes several areas in which new efforts are encouraging and draws on lessons learned from reforms that occurred coincident with the 2007 surge in Iraq.

Obama's Kenya: A Potential Political Minefield

Tue, 03 Nov 2009 00:00:00 GMT

On October 26 Johnnie Carson, assistant secretary of state for African affairs, announced that the U.S. was revoking the visa of a top Kenyan official because of his role in blocking reforms in the country. Mwangi Kimenyi discusses this approach and urges that the focus should be on overhauling institutions, not targeting individuals.

U.S. Options in Afghanistan and the Karzai Brothers

Mon, 02 Nov 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Hamid Karzai was declared the winner of the presidential vote in Afghanistan on November 2 and he was quickly warned that he must crack down on rampant corruption. Vanda Felbab-Brown joined several other experts to discuss what should be done about President Karzai's brother, Wali Karzai, who has been linked to Afghanistan's narcotics trade.

Iraq's Economy Needs More Than Security

Fri, 23 Oct 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Although violence in Iraq has decreased, Raj Desai states other transitions are needed before U.S. businesses feel comfortable about the Iraqi investment climate. In addition to security, Desai offers three sets of fundamental reforms to convince investors that Iraq is really "open for business."

Make American Resources Conditional on Afghan Progress

Mon, 19 Oct 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Congressional leaders and the Obama administration discussing "intermediate options" in Afghanistan, but could such an approach prove successful? Michael O’Hanlon and Stephen Solarz offer insight into what middle-ground steps General Stanley McChrystal is already taking and explain how an active U.S.-Afghan partnership is essential to providing security, safety and success in Afghanistan.

It's All or Nothing in Afghanistan

Mon, 12 Oct 2009 00:00:00 GMT

As the Afghanistan strategy debate continues, Vanda Felbab-Brown says policymakers should not be fooled by options that lie “in the middle” of a beefed-up counterinsurgency mission and a scaled-back counterterrorism operation. Felbab-Brown believes the United States and NATO must decide how important the stakes are, and either properly resource the current mission or cut losses now rather than later.

No Big Blank Checks for Afghanistan

Thu, 01 Oct 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Michael O'Hanlon says an apparent gap has emerged between the military leadership in Afghanistan and President Obama's advisers who have growing doubts about the mission there. Though additional troops may be needed, O'Hanlon believes it is it is sensible to tie a commitment of more resources to the Afghanistan government doing more and addressing corruption within their country.

Contemporary Development Challenges in Kenya

Thu, 01 Oct 2009 09:30:00 GMT

Event Information:

October 01, 2009, 9:30 AM to 11:00 AM

In October 2009 a high-level delegation of officials from the office of the president and government of Kenya visited the Brookings Institution. The event, which was hosted by the Africa Growth Initiative, included discussion on the key political, economic, and social challenges currently affecting Kenya’s development.

Tie Troops to Progress on Afghanistan’s Corruption

Wed, 23 Sep 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Michael O'Hanlon and Jane Harman write that the Afghanistan metrics delivered to Congress last week sorely understate the issue of government corruption. They conclude success in Afghanistan hinges on success of an anti-corruption effort and offer suggestions for both internal and external actors to address the problem.

Combating Judicial Corruption in Uganda

Wed, 23 Sep 2009 00:00:00 GMT

The challenges that the judiciary system in Uganda has faced are well known, but the country has come a long way from that past. In a new paper, Cynthia Baldwin proposes a four-part approach to control judicial corruption.

'Guatemalastan': How to Prevent a Failed State in our Midst

Fri, 22 May 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Kevin Casas-Zamora argues that the weakness of Guatemala as a state, the pervasive violence, the widespread corruption and the country’s strategic location for drug trafficking are creating a very dangerous cocktail. He believes reform is necessary but also notes it will be quite difficult.

Aid Effectiveness and Governance: The Good, the Bad and the Ugly

Tue, 17 Mar 2009 00:00:00 GMT

The effectiveness of development aid has historically been mixed. In a new article, Senior Fellow Daniel Kaufmann discusses recent aid effectiveness initiatives, the gulf between current aid strategies and the new reality of aid, and offers proposals for next steps to improve efforts.

How to Improve Governance : A New Framework for Analysis and Action

Sun, 01 Mar 2009 00:00:00 GMT

This perceptive book emphasizes the need for an overall analytical framework that can be applied to different countries to help analyze the current situation, identify potential areas for improvement, and assess their relative feasibility and the steps needed to promote them.

Corruption and the Global Financial Crisis

Tue, 27 Jan 2009 00:00:00 GMT

As the Obama administration announces new rules for lobbyists, particularly focused on stimulus funds, Brookings expert Daniel Kaufmann examines the role that corruption and influence have played in the global financial crisis, and suggests ways policymakers should address these issues in future regulation.

Nicaragua's Daniel Ortega: Not Another Mugabe, Please

Mon, 08 Dec 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Kevin Casas-Zamora argues the international community must put pressure on the increasingly autocratic regime of Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega.

Congressional Corruption: Reforming the Broken Branch

Wed, 16 Apr 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Thomas Mann and Lawrence Lessig of Stanford Law School appeared on Bloggingheads.tv to discuss ways to restore public trust in Congress, and its failure to engage in responsible and deliberative lawmaking, to police the ethical behavior of its members, and to check and balance the executive.

A Collapse of the Campaign Finance Regime?

Wed, 16 Apr 2008 00:00:00 GMT

The fascinating 2008 presidential election has produced recent campaign finance developments, writes Thomas Mann, suffiently dramatic as to raise questions about the viability of the entire regime of campaign finance law.

The Role of the Legislature in the Budget Process: Lessons from the Field

Thu, 27 Mar 2008 12:30:00 GMT

Event Information:

March 27, 2008, 12:30 PM to 2:00pm

The Transparency and Accountability Project hosted Alison Paul DeSchryver and John Johnson, from the National Democratic Institute, to present some impressions and results that have come from recent projects to strengthen the legislature.

The 2007 Global Integrity Report: Opportunities and Challenges in the Fight Against Corruption

Thu, 07 Feb 2008 12:30:00 GMT

Event Information:

February 07, 2008, 12:30 PM to 2:00PM

The Transparency and Accountability Project hosted Nathaniel Heller, Managing Director of Global Integrity, to discuss the 2007 Global Integrity report and its findings.

Do Politically Connected Firms Undermine Their Own Competitiveness?

Thu, 31 Jan 2008 00:00:00 GMT

In a new Global working paper, Raj Desai and co-author Anders Olofsgård examines cronyism, specifically focusing on the competitiveness of politically favored firms, and finding that influential firms do innovate and invest less.

African Governance Institutions: Accountability Mechanisms or Enablers of Corruption?

Mon, 22 Oct 2007 14:00:00 GMT

Event Information:

October 22, 2007, 2:00 PM to 04:00 PM

Brookings hosted a panel discussion to assess the impact of anti-corruption and governance projects on Africa’s governments.

Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Former Nigerian Finance and Foreign Minister, Joins Brookings

Fri, 05 Oct 2007 19:07:41 GMT

News Release (1/10/07)

Campaign Finance: Is Unregulated Spending the Most Effective Way to Ensure Citizens Have the Power to Speak to Their Government?

Fri, 13 Jul 2007 00:00:00 GMT

Is money in politics a problem at all, or is unregulated spending the most effective way to ensure citizens have the power to speak to their government? Thomas Mann and Bradley Smith debate on the future of campaign finance reform.

Campaign Finance Reform: Are There Smarter Ways to Fix the System?

Thu, 12 Jul 2007 00:00:00 GMT

Are there campaign finance reform methods that are not vulnerable to 1st Amendment challenges? Thomas E. Mann and Bradley Smith debate the future of campaign finance reform.

Campaign Finance: Matching Candidates' Scratch

Thu, 12 Jul 2007 00:00:00 GMT

Are matching funds ever going to work at the federal level? Can they succeed at the state and local levels? Thomas E. Mann and Bradley Smith debate the future of campaign finance reform.

Does the Supreme Court's Recent Wisconsin Right to Life Decision Signal the End of All Campaign Finance Reform Laws?

Tue, 10 Jul 2007 00:00:00 GMT

Does the Supreme Court's recent Wisconsin Right to Life decision signal the end of all campaign finance reform laws? Thomas Mann and Bradley Smith debate the future of campaign finance reform.

Campaign Finance Reloaded

Mon, 09 Jul 2007 00:00:00 GMT

Senior Fellow Thomas Mann argues that the Supreme Court went both too far and not far enough in its Wisconsin Right to Life decision.

How Cronyism Harms the Investment Climate

Mon, 01 Jan 2007 00:00:00 GMT

Cronyism undermines markets in several ways. It increases the costs of doing business for firms excluded from inner, "favored" circles. It encourages firms to spend more on cultivating political ties and less on innovation. It allows regulators and policymakers to benefit privately from relationships with certain firms. Reducing the inequality in influence between the most-powerful and least-powerful firms—the "influence gap"—can limit the harmful effects of cronyism. This can be done through support for greater public accountability, anti-monopoly enforcement, and more inclusive consultation mechanisms.

United States: Progress of the "Freedom Strategy" in the Middle East

Wed, 01 Feb 2006 00:00:00 GMT

Article by Tamara Cofman Wittes, Arab Reform Bulletin (February 2006)

Terrorism, Drugs, Crime, Poverty, and Tax Evasion: The Ties That Bind

Wed, 28 Sep 2005 09:30:00 GMT

Event Information:

September 28, 2005, 9:30 AM to 11:30 AM

The 2005 Egyptian Elections: How Free? How Important?

Wed, 24 Aug 2005 00:00:00 GMT

On September 7, 2005, for the first time in their history, Egyptians will have a choice of candidates in a presidential election. When President Hosni Mubarak, who was elected to four previous terms in 'yes-or-no' referendums, announced this historic change in February 2005, even some members of his ruling National Democratic Party (NDP) were taken aback. Yet by the time the constitutional amendment authorizing other candidates to run was voted on in late May 2005, many democracy advocates in Egypt had grown disillusioned, characterizing the competitive election scheme as a sham. Now, with voting less than one month away, ten candidates have qualified to stand but many opposition activists are calling for an election day boycott.

Jordan's Model of Development

Tue, 26 Jul 2005 00:00:00 GMT

Event Information:

July 26, 2005 at 12:00 AM

Saban Center Event--July 26, 2005

Event Summary: Political Corruption in the United States and Around the Globe

Wed, 28 Apr 2004 00:00:00 GMT

Event summary of the Brookings/Transparency International symposium on political corruption.

Political Corruption in the United States and Around the Globe

Wed, 28 Apr 2004 13:00:00 GMT

Event Information:

April 28, 2004, 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM

Africa's Economic Morass--Will a Common Currency Help?

Tue, 01 Jul 2003 00:00:00 GMT

Brookings Policy Brief #121 by Paul Masson and Heather Milkiewicz. (July 2003)

A Case of "Enronitis"? Opaque Self-Dealing and the Global Financial Effect

Tue, 01 Apr 2003 00:00:00 GMT

The revelation of corporate scandals and the financial crises in the developing countries have persuaded many people around the world that "Enronitis," in its various guises, can seriously damage people's confidence in a financial system and retard economic development. Shang-Jin Wei and Heather Milkiewicz argue that an invigorated, worldwide reform effort will reduce the chance of future economic devastation that could result from poor public and corporate governance.

Corruption in Developing Countries

Wed, 12 Mar 2003 00:00:00 GMT

A speech by Shang-Jin Wei, March 12, 2003

Odious Debt: When Dictators Borrow, Who Repays the Loan?

Sat, 01 Mar 2003 00:00:00 GMT

When the international community wants to put pressure on a government that suppresses democracy and human rights, it commonly imposes economic sanctions. Traditional sanctions, however, are often either ineffective or inhumane. This article suggests

A Global Crossing for Enronitis?: How Opaque Self-Dealing Damages Financial Markets around the World

Sat, 01 Mar 2003 00:00:00 GMT

What Right Does an Odious Government Have to Borrow?

Fri, 30 Aug 2002 00:00:00 GMT

Opinion by Michael Kremer, Senior Fellow in Economic Studies and Governance Studies, the Brookings Institution and Seema Jayachandran, graduate student in Economics, Harvard University, in Africa News

Russia's Virtual Economy

Wed, 31 Jul 2002 00:00:00 GMT

Clifford Gaddy's and Barry Ickes' thesisthat Russia's economy is based on illusion or pretense about nearly every important economic yardstick, including prices, sales, wages and budgetshas forced broad recognition of the inadequacies of the intend

Dirty Money: Nourishing Poverty and Terrorism

Wed, 05 Jun 2002 00:00:00 GMT

Event Information:

June 05, 2002 at 12:00 AM

Corruption and Monetary Policy

Tue, 27 Nov 2001 00:00:00 GMT

Paper by Shang-Jin Wei, Senior Fellow, the Brookings Institution, and Haizhou Huang, International Monetary Fund, November 27, 2001

Tax Rate and Tax Evasion: Evidence from the ""Missing Imports"" in China

Fri, 28 Sep 2001 00:00:00 GMT

Paper by Shang-Jin Wei, Senior Fellow, The Brookings Institution, and Raymond Fisman, Assistant Professor, Columbia Business School, September 28, 2001

Corruption and Globalization

Sun, 01 Apr 2001 00:00:00 GMT

Policy Brief #79, by Shang-Jin Wei (April 2001)

Negative Alchemy?: Corruption, Composition of Capital Flows, and Currency Crises

Thu, 22 Mar 2001 00:00:00 GMT

Paper by Shang-Jin Wei, Senior Fellow, The Brookings Institution, March 22, 2001

Domestic Crony Capitalism and International Fickle Capital: Is There a Connection?

Thu, 01 Mar 2001 00:00:00 GMT

Article by Shang-Jin Wei, Senior Fellow, The Brookings Institution, in International Finance, Spring 2001

Endogenous Transition Dynamics in Corruption: An Agent-Based Computer Model

Fri, 01 Dec 2000 00:00:00 GMT

csed working paper 19, brookings institution, economic studies

Special Governance Zone: A Practical Entry-Point for a Winnable Anti-Corruption Program

Sun, 24 Sep 2000 00:00:00 GMT

Brookings Economic Papers

Weathering the Storm : Taiwan, Its Neighbors, and the Asian Financial Crisis

Tue, 27 Jun 2000 00:00:00 GMT

In this timely volume, leading development economists examine four principal economies in East AsiaIndonesia, Korea, Taiwan, and Thailandand compare their experiences during the financial crises of 1997-98.

Natural Openness and Good Government

Thu, 01 Jun 2000 00:00:00 GMT

Brookings Economic Papers

Bribery in the Economies: Grease or Sand?

Sat, 15 Jan 2000 00:00:00 GMT

Brookings International Economic Papers

Money Laundering and Flight Capital: The Impact on Private Banking

Wed, 10 Nov 1999 00:00:00 GMT

Testimony by Raymond Baker before the Senate Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations of the Committee on Governmental Affairs

The Biggest Loophole in the Free-Market System

Wed, 01 Sep 1999 00:00:00 GMT

Article by Raymond Baker, Guest Scholar, The Brookings Institution, in The Washington Quarterly, Autumn 1999

Political Vegetables? : Businessman & Bureaucrat in the Development of Egyptian Agriculture

Thu, 18 Jul 1991 00:00:00 GMT

In Political Vegetables? Yahya Sadowski explains that the primary obstacles to development in Egypt are political, not economic. He shows how consumers, bureaucrats, and businessmen manipulate Egyptian policy to secure their own profits and insulate