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Manifestations and Causes of Civil Service Corruption in Developing Countries

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  • Yemane Desta

Abstract

This article examines the manifestations and causes of corrupt practices in the civil service of developing countries based on review of theoretical and empirical literature regarding corruption and development. Among the corrupt practices identified are- bribery, embezzlement, fraud, extortion, abuse of power, conflict of interest, insider trading/abuse of privileged information, favoritism, collusion with business interests, procurement contract/bid rigging and influence peddling This article also has identified the main underlying causes of corruption in the civil service of developing countries to be politicization of the civil service, poor pay, lack of accountability/transparency in public organizations, weak enforcements mechanisms, lack of merit-based career advancement, and excessive/ opaque regulations. The findings reported this article reveal that ethical violations in the civil service and overall corruption levels in politics, economy, and society are very high, with the negative outcome of hampering economic growth, sabotaging social justice and contributing to political instability in the context of developing countries. Keywords- accountability, civil service, corruption, corruption perception index, developing countries, development, ethics, transparency

Suggested Citation

  • Yemane Desta, 2019. "Manifestations and Causes of Civil Service Corruption in Developing Countries," Journal of Public Administration and Governance, Macrothink Institute, vol. 9(3), pages 23-35, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:mth:jpag88:v:9:y:2019:i:3:p:23-35
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    1. John Mukum Mbaku, 1996. "Bureaucratic Corruption in Africa: The Futility of Cleanups," Cato Journal, Cato Journal, Cato Institute, vol. 16(1), pages 99-118, Spring/Su.
    2. Gong, Ting & Wu, Alfred M., 2012. "Does Increased Civil Service Pay Deter Corruption? Evidence from China," MPRA Paper 41815, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    3. Vito Tanzi, 1998. "Corruption Around the World: Causes, Consequences, Scope, and Cures," IMF Staff Papers, Palgrave Macmillan, vol. 45(4), pages 559-594, December.
    4. Joseph Patrick Ganahl, 2013. "Corruption, good governance, and the African state: A critical analysis of the political-economic foundations of orruption in Sub-Saharan Africa," Potsdam Economic Studies 02, Universität Potsdam, Wirtschafts- und Sozialwissenschaftliche Fakultät.
    5. Mr. Vito Tanzi, 1998. "Corruption Around the World: Causes, Consequences, Scope, and Cures," IMF Working Papers 1998/063, International Monetary Fund.
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    Cited by:

    1. Lahiri, Bidisha & Ali, Haider, 2022. "Inspections, informal payments and tax payments by firms," Finance Research Letters, Elsevier, vol. 46(PA).

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    JEL classification:

    • R00 - Urban, Rural, Regional, Real Estate, and Transportation Economics - - General - - - General
    • Z0 - Other Special Topics - - General

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