One of the most vexing problems in developing an anticorruption strategy is figuring out where to begin. In many countries, gaining political momentum, generating public support and pressure for reforms, and identifying priorities have been furthered by the use of “anticorruption diagnostics.” The diagnostics—at times supported by foreign and multilateral aid and at other times homegrown initiatives—include detailed surveys and public opinion polls, focus group discussions, and sectoral assessments. Diagnostics* can provide a wealth of information, such as identifying the forms of corruption that officials feel are most prevalent (e.g., in the chart on Albania, below) and the overall composition of unofficial payments made by enterprises (e.g., Georgia). Even in countries with relatively lower levels of administrative corruption, diagnostics show, for example, the impact that unofficial payments have on the poor and the link to small-scale business activities (e.g., Latvia), and the importance of meritocratic personnel policies (e.g., the Slovak Republic).
The use of diagnostics builds on the philosophy of transparency and accountability that is the key foundation for developing a sustainable anticorruption strategy. Yet, the information provided must be supplemented by other forms of expert analysis and review in order to gain a comprehensive picture of corruption in a given country.
Source: World Bank. *The results presented in this box are from diagnostic surveys undertaken by the World Bank together with ACER (Albania), GORBI (Georgia), Latvia Facts (Latvia), and Focus and Transparency International Slovakia (the Slovak Republic). USAID cofinanced the surveys in Albania, Georgia, and the Slovak Republic. Results are provided in Kaufmann, Daniel; Auron Pasha; Zef Preci; Randi Ryterman and Pablo Zoido-Lobaton. 1998. Governance and Corruption in Albania: The Imperative of Institutional Reforms. ACER/World Bank draft; Anderson, James H. 1998. Corruption in Latvia: Survey Evidence. World Bank; Anderson, James H. 2000. Corruption in Slovakia: Results of Diagnostic Surveys. World Bank; Anderson, James H.; Omar Azfar; Daniel Kaufmann; Young Lee; Amitabha Mukherjee and Randi Ryterman. 1999. Corruption in Georgia: Survey Evidence. World Bank draft. |
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