We found a match
Your institution may have access to this item. Find your institution then sign in to continue.
- Title
THE EFFECT OF "POLITICAL" CORRUPTION IN SMALL STATES.
- Abstract
In his remarks during the conference opening ceremony, CPA Secretary-General Dr William Shija intimated that "political" corruption was an issue which affects all countries, both large and small, and which can undermine democracy and retard good governance. This view was repeated in this session as the Discussion Leaders and delegates engaged in a lively and constructive discourse on a potentially thorny subject. The issue focused on the abuse of political and public powers for personal and private gains. Many delegates indicated that, within their own countries, their concerns ran more toward unethical behaviour and the perception of possibly corrupt or illegal practices by their constituents and/or local media, rather than toward actual cases of serious or major corruption and criminal activity on the part of elected officials. Throughout the session, an over-riding sentiment coming to the fore was the general frustration of many delegates at what seems to be a growing perception among many of their constituents and electorates in general that corrupt practices and personally or politically self-serving agendas have become the norm for many elected officials. These perceptions, whether generated by known instances of public corruption at home and elsewhere or by inferences made in the media, can impact on their abilities to govern effectively while also surviving and succeeding politically. All the delegates could agree that however unfair or untrue these perceptions may be in most cases, and however one chose to define "political" corruption, they can be extremely difficult to overcome and reverse, particularly without the benefit of positive media relations, and a less critical press that will refrain from inferences, if not outright allegations, of corruption that are made without substantiation. Delegates spoke of the need for transparency and accountability, and for elected officials and public officers to be more conscientious about good governance practices, both individually and collectively. It is not enough to just refrain from clearly illegal and corrupt activities: it is also important to strive to avoid any appearance of unethical or questionable behaviour that could be misinterpreted or that could be portrayed in a malicious light by political opponents or the press.
- Subjects
POLITICAL crimes &; offenses; SHIJA, William; DEMOCRACY; PROFESSIONAL ethics; TRANSPARENCY (Optics); POLITICAL leadership
- Publication
Parliamentarian, 2010, Vol 91, Issue 4, p376
- ISSN
0031-2282
- Publication type
Article