Corruption

EthicsDonald C. Menzel

PresidentEthics Management International

&Professor Emeritus

Public AdministrationNorthern Illinois University

Session ObjectiveTo have a conversation about a very, very

important subject so thatWe can make some meaningful

distinctions between unethical behavior and corrupt behavior.

Let’s begin with some observations about ethics, law, morality, and corruption.

EthicsEverybody knows something about ethics, is

it not so?Life is an ethical journey of sorts.A Question I often ask: Is there anyone who

has not, never, never ever, lied, stolen, or cheated? Please raise your hand!

It’s the human condition, is it not?

MORALS

LAWS

ETHICS

VALUESVALUES

VALUESVALUE

S

Ethics

Morality in action.Ethics are internal rules that guide one to

follow or not to follow external rules.Values and principles that guide right and

wrong behavior.

Three ComponentsValues and principlesRight/wrongBehavior

Values and PrinciplesValues are things we attach worth to.A value can be an idea, object, practice, or

most anything else to which worth is attached. Of course, ethics does not encompass all values. Consider money or status as a value. Most people attach worth to money and status, but we do not call them values that are essential to a definition of ethics.

Principles are guides to action—Golden Rule or treat people with respect.

BehaviorEthics is not a spectator sport; it is a contact

sport!Jimmy Carter in 1976

Right and WrongThe final perhaps most important component in

defining ethics is “right and wrong” behavior. In years past right and wrong was typically the province of custom, tradition, and religion. Indeed, one essential reason why ethics has become increasingly important in the modern age is the waning influence of custom, tradition, and religion. Right and wrong are now firmly woven into the fabric of professional occupations and individual choice. Thus right and wrong can be viewed as residing within the individual (some would even contend it is innate) or outside his or her being such as prescribed by codes of ethics or law.

Ethicsare values and principles that guide right and

wrong behavior.

Corruption

Corruption DefinedSomething spoiled, defective, debased,

tainted, impureBehavior which deviates from the formal

duties of a public role because of private-regarding pecuniary or status gains

Intentional deviation for personal gain.To profit personally from public office.

Corruption is the misuse of public power for private gain.

“what is corruption?”

Types

Bribery and graftWhile bribery includes an intent to influence or be influenced by another for personal gain, which is often difficult to prove, graft only requires that the official gains something of value, not part of his official pay, when doing his work.

Large "gifts" qualify as graft, and most countries have laws against it. (For example, any gift over $200 value made to the President of the United States is considered to be a gift to the Office of the Presidency and not to the President himself. The outgoing President must buy it if he or she wants to keep it.)

Another example of graft is a politician using his knowledge of zoning to purchase land which he knows is planned for development, before this is publicly known, and then selling it at a significant profit. This is comparable to insider trading in business.

Other Forms of CorruptionForgeryEmbezzlementmisuse of public fundsCronyism--patronageNon-performance of dutiesInfluence peddling

Other Forms of CorruptionCover-upsPerjuryAbuse of powerManipulation of regulationsVote buying and election riggingAcceptance of improper gifts

“where does corruption flourish?”

The most corrupt and patronage ridden governments seem to be at the local level in many countries, including developed countries such as the United States and Germany.

Why?

The close cooperation between public authorities and private interests limits partisan politics and the oversight it provides.

“Discretion Increases corrupt incentives.”

“what is the relationship between discretion and corruption?”

“Do different cultures breed different levels and types of corruption?”

“Subtle differences in culture and basic values exist across the world. But there is one human motivator that is both universal and central to explaining the divergent experiences of different countries.

That motivator is self-interest, including interest in the well-being of one’s family and peer group. Critics call it greed. . . .Endemic corruption suggests a pervasive failure to tap self-interest for productive purposes.” – Susan Rose-Ackerman, Corruption and Government: Causes, Consequences, and Reform, 1999

Discussion QuestionsIs it corrupt for officials to profit

personally from public office?What does it mean to reap personal gain

when serving in a public office? What about gifts? Should public officials

practice a “zero gifting” policy? Why? Or why not?

Thomas JeffersonWhen a man assumes a public trust, he

should consider himself a public property.

EthicsDonald C. Menzel

PresidentEthics Management International

&Professor Emeritus

Public AdministrationNorthern Illinois University