Lunchtime Study Group—Corruption and Anticorruption (Session 4): Institutional Checks and Corruption

Date: 

Monday, October 31, 2022, 12:00pm to 1:00pm

Location: 

Ash Center Conference Room, #226, 124 Mt Auburn Street, Suite 200N

Most analyses of the causes and means of eradicating corruption boil down to one of two factors: the strength of institutions or political will. These factors are, however, inextricably linked. Those who have the will to address corruption can make headway only to the extent that they wield sufficient authority to tackle the problem. But those who have authority---i.e., who hold political power---typically are best positioned to benefit from corruption. Because no one can fully commit to policy (or any other) promises, even staunch anticorruption reformers who gain power might find the temptation of corruption too strong to ignore relative to the policy benefits they can achieve. In turn, if strong institutions are controlled by actors who benefit from corruption, that likely makes the corruption problem even worse. In session four, we will discuss the conditions under which anticorruption bodies are likely to form and succeed.

Guest speaker: William Heller, Associate Professor, Department of Political Science, Binghamton University (SUNY)

About the Study Group

This in-person study group, held on five Mondays 12-1pm ET is designed to engage HKS and Harvard degree students to understand global trends in corruption and anticorruption efforts, mechanics of systemic corruption, and current challenges controlling corruption. Led by Professor Jeeyang Rhee Baum, who has over 30 years of experience working in and with developing democracies, the program will draw on the expertise of a range of HKS Ash Center fellows, practitioners and others from media and policy analysis organizations. The objective is for students to gain and appreciate the complexity of combatting corruption but leave with a set of analytical tools to critically examine and develop interventions in the future. Because the program depends upon interactive discussions and will be capped at 22 students, we particularly encourage those who enjoy active participation and lively debate to sign up.  

In order to help foster a stronger sense of community amongst study group attendees, we ask that students commit to participating in most if not all of the scheduled study group sessions.

This study group is now at capacity and registration is closed. 

Please note that this-in person study group is open to Harvard ID holders only.

Lunch will be provided.  

Register for Future Sessions