Approaches to Corruption in the Developing Countries

Abstract

This article mainly seeks to provide a framework to help us reach a better understanding of the nature, causes and grounds of increasing administrative corruption in developing countries. In this regard, the author identifies six approaches to administrative corruption and surveys issues related to the rise of corruption within these context. These approaches include cost-benefit, relative deprivation, rent-seeking, principal-non-agent, patron-client, and moral approaches. Each of these approaches is able to explain part of corruption in developing countries (like Iran). According to the author, administrative corruption in these countries is a kind of institutional deficiency related to the institutional arrangements and political structure of their economy rather than bureaucratic moral hazards. It also emphasizes that the fight against corruption cannot be independent from the reform of public sector structure. In conclusion, the author enumerated the characteristics of an effective strategy against corruption in developing countries.