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Corruption consolidation in local governments - Coggle Diagram
Corruption consolidation in local governments
Definition
Corruption
complex phenomenon
systemic process, organized and collective and is sometimes socially normalized
the use and abuse of state authority and power in diverting public resources of any kind to fulfil private or in‐group interests
part of a social institution or along a structural dimension
consolidation
of corruption
level of stability reached by corruption processes that are self‐sustaining and prove difficult to revert.
fragile and nuanced relation between corruption and democratization
corruption consolidation framework
the actors &
networks involved
shape of corruption networks depends on the features of the process and its environment
Networks involve type and number of actors as necessary to perform the illegal or self‐serving scheme and maintain secrecy
The logic of operations network is highly dependent on the network's environment
the organizing
mechanisms
nurtures a set of mechanisms to induce the functionality of networks/ inhibit whistleblowers that may hinder the operations of the corruption schemes
allow peer pressure to induce public officials' participation or inhibit whistleblowing or defection.
the levels &
mechanisms
of opacity
necessary condition = to act with impunity is to perform under high levels of opacity
Legal ambiguity and uncertainty over procedures build high levels of opacity in government processes.
Public officials' opportunity to concur with corrupt discretionary acts builds on high levels of opacity in government processes
the quality of
checks and
balances (C&B)
necessary condition=to act with impunity is to face weak or controllable C&B
rules of practice; these are
formal and informal
organizations
internal and external
attitudes, beliefs and knowledge
Studies on corruption
based in 2 categories
observance of dyadic relations (=interactions and behaviour at the individual level)
analysis under a principal–agent model (focus on illegal exchanges involving public resources or hidden interactions with illegal consequences)
Conclusions
organizations involved in the network set mechanisms that integrate individual behaviour with a coordinated movement
mechanisms involve individualized incentives, such as benefits and sanctions, but they also include procuring loyalty using social means of coercion
organizing the network with impunity requires two additional elements: opacity and a weak set of C&B
Opacity is needed for the network to perform 'below the radar'
It is achieved by several means such as:
lack of transparency
legal ambiguity and uncertainty
by exerting the kind of bureaucratic discretion that favours private or in‐group interests
Mexico
Studying corruption in Mexico's local governments is extremely challenging
data limitations
entering the field is difficult
Municipal governments in Mexico are the least transparent and lowest trusted among governmental institutions
conducting interviews and administering surveys in a context where corruption can be highly dangerous makes for highly complex fieldwork.
These difficulties are reflected in the unevenness of the data.