Russian Journal of Economics and Law (Dec 2017)
Developing and actualizing a multifaceted approach to fighting corruption
Abstract
Objective: to analyze the main practices of corruption counteraction in the modern society with a view of elaborating the key directions of such counteraction.Methods: dialectic method of cognition and general scientific methods based on it (analysis, synthesis, induction, deduction). Results: the work presents the basic models of corruption counteraction in the modern society. The phenomenon of corruption is frequently discussed and debated in a variety of contexts. Corruption is often difficult to identify, as it occurs in secret, away from the public eye and records. Moreover, anti-corruption measures repeatedly fail, in part because corruption is a multifaceted social phenomenon that penetrates horizontally and vertically through many areas of society. Despite a high degree of informality within many industries and the prevalence of corrupt practices, most anti-corruption efforts have so far involved reforming the formal legal rules. However, the discussion of formal rules and institutions cannot be neatly divorced from the examination of informal norms and vice versa . These two spheres of norms and rules operate side by side, each dependent on the other. Hence, any conversation about reform has to include discussions of both formal and informal rules and institutions and the intersection between the two. It is also crucial to examine the fora where informal rules and norms are practiced, enforced and replicated. Part of this examination revolves around so-called organizational or corporate culture. In order to start overcoming the formal laws vs. informal rules divide, government regulators have to work with industry professionals, labour groups and consumers when designing various industry and health and safety regulations. This partnership, if it were to be a true one, would improve the likelihood of compliance and reduce opportunities for corrupt practices. Ultimately, any meaningful anti-corruption reform will have to address not only the intertwined nature of formal and informal rules and norms prevalent in society, but also the common lack of anti-corruption ethos prevalent among all societal actors. Scientific novelty: main models of corruption counteraction are described on the basis of the analysis of the available literature sources; measures for optimal corruption counteraction are proposed.Practical significance: conclusions and provisions of the article can be used in scientific, law-making and law-enforcement activities, in the educational process of higher educational establishments.
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