Jul 7, 2018
Paul Lagunes is a Columbia University political scientist whose scholarship focuses on corruption in the Americas. His current book project is Corruption and Oversight: Insights from Field Experiments. We define corruption, discuss how it relates to democracy, and learn that voting is a tool to fight against it.
Corruption is a contingent behavior
In a world of multiple equilibriums, the rules of the game differ
from place to place, thus it may be rational to engage in
corruption in certain contexts. The same individual will behave one
way in one setting and another way in another setting. Corruption
involves costs for societies at large. The losers are every day,
law-abiding citizens.
The Watchful Eye and the Cracking Whip
Both transparency and punishment are essential. We need to make
clear and visible that everyone who participates in corruption is
punished because revealing corruption without punishment emboldens
bad actors. They feel and seem empowered. Government agencies and
oversight non-governmental organizations can effectively work
together to satisfy both roles.
How citizens can fight corruption
We need to be informed, care about curbing corruption, and make our
voices heard on the issue. The best way to do so is to vote on
Election Day and to use public forums, such as town hall meetings,
to confront and engage public officials. Democracy’s promise to
solve corruption hinges on the premise that officials are the
agents, and citizens are the principals.
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Paul Lagunes is a political science and an Assistant Professor at Columbia University’s School of International and Public Affairs. His work has been widely published, and he is currently working on a book titled Corruption and Oversight: Insights from Field Experiments.