Combating Corruption : A Comparative Review of Selected Legal Aspects of State Practice and International Initiatives

Corruption is a world-wide phenomenon. No country, no matter how rich or powerful, is immune to the detrimental effects of corruption. In this timely and careful survey of national and international efforts, Combating Corruption provides a comparative view of selected legal practices and international initiatives undertaken to fight corruption. At the outset, the paper makes the distinction between preventative and curative instruments which countries have used to fight corruption. The authors of this study examine codes of conduct, affirmations of national commitment, leadership codes, and provisions relating to declaration of assets and freedom of information. Although the paper highlights some bold measures that have been undertaken by countries to combat corruption, it goes on to report that the anti-corruption efforts are far from finished on the national level. The paper concludes that legal initiatives alone cannot make a difference in the fight against corruption. The most successful programs are those that combine legal initiatives with the necessary resources needed to engage in and sustain the fight against corruption. There needs to be strong political will and a determination to stop the spread of corruption in order to effect change.