The Moral Dimension of the Fight against Corruption

This article identifies sources and effects of corruption, now a central preoccupation of development policy makers. With public expenditures in the world's largest economies now near 50 percent of GDP, citizens have countless reasons to engage with government officials. The resulting dysfunctional regulations, red tape, and impediments to business yield opportunities for unwholesome compromises, bribery, and payments to jump the queue. The article describes effective antidote strategies and argues forcefully for strengthening the moral and ethical standards underpinning society by reinforcing the civic responsibility component of secular education.