Governance and Corruption

Abstract

This paper compares the Islamic and the western social scien­tific perspectives on corruption. Jt is argued that the emerging shift in social scientific thought in viewing corruption from "grease that oils the economic wheel" to a "menace that under­mines economic growth" has brought rational understanding of the phenomenon much closer to [slamic doctrine. Where they differ is with respect to remedial action. The western approach focuses on governance and designing appropriate systems and institutions that gear information and incentives toward minimiz­ing opportunities and enticement for corruption. In short, it emphasizes constraints external to the individual. By comparison, Islam seeks to go beyond such constraints, and also instill in believers a clear "second-order" preference for non­corrupt behavior. lt recommends developing a firm belief in transcendent accountability, stresses character building through practicing moral virtues and shunning vices. In essence, much of the restraint comes from within through a moral renovation. rt is our contention that both emphases are important in eliminating corruption and that the followers oflslam and the West can learn from one another.