Fighting Corruption: The Way Forward

More people today are ready to fight corruption in India’s public life than ever before. Very few, however, know what it takes to achieve corruption free governance. The causes and manifestations of corruption are multiple and complex. In the final analysis, it is actions by the state, its institutions and civil society that are critical to achieving corruption control. We need both preventive and punitive measures to successfully fight corruption. This book examines the phenomenon of corruption from multiple perspectives and proposes an agenda of reform that has the potential to achieve corruption control. The contributors to this volume believe that without a major reform of India’s rather opaque and dysfunctional governance system, corruption free governance will remain a mere dream. Reform of the financing of political parties and elections, ways to minimise conflicts of interest and the capture of policymaking and regulatory regimes, redesign of service delivery systems, the scaling up of e-Governance to enhance transparency and accountability, and support to several important reforms already under way in government, are the way forward to effectively bring corruption under control.

About the Author :
Samuel Paul is the founder and first chairman of the Public Affairs Centre in Bangalore. He has served as an adviser to the International Labour Organization, the United Nations, and the World Bank, and is the coauthor of "The State of Our Cities."

Review :
The euphoria of the anti-corruption movement is waning. Factionalism and cynicism have made inroads, undermining most of what was gained. But the huge and complex issue of corruption remains, confronting us every day. Here is a cogent and thoughtful analysis of this hydra headed monster, and the levels at which it can be fought and slain. Individuals, groups, politicians, bureaucrats, intellectuals, and law makers, all have a role to play. And play it, we must. Mallika Sarabhai, social commentator and activist" This book, edited by Samuel Paul, provides a most comprehensive and in-depth survey of the rising tide of corruption in India and what needs to be done to tackle it. . . . What distinguishes this book is its practical and multipronged approach for finding solutions to the problem. It deserves to be read by all concerned, particularly our parliamentarians and policy makers. Bimal Jalan, former governor, Reserve Bank of India" "The euphoria of the anti-corruption movement is waning. Factionalism and cynicism have made inroads, undermining most of what was gained. But the huge and complex issue of corruption remains, confronting us every day. Here is a cogent and thoughtful analysis of this hydra headed monster, and the levels at which it can be fought and slain. Individuals, groups, politicians, bureaucrats, intellectuals, and law makers, all have a role to play. And play it, we must." --Mallika Sarabhai, social commentator and activist "This book, edited by Samuel Paul, provides a most comprehensive and in-depth survey of the rising tide of corruption in India and what needs to be done to tackle it. . . . What distinguishes this book is its practical and multipronged approach for finding solutions to the problem. It deserves to be read by all concerned, particularly our parliamentarians and policy makers." --Bimal Jalan, former governor, Reserve Bank of India