Economic theory and practice profess that corruption is a crime of calculation, normally perpetrated for economic gain. Policy responses, as a consequence, revolve around the…
Abstract
Purpose
Economic theory and practice profess that corruption is a crime of calculation, normally perpetrated for economic gain. Policy responses, as a consequence, revolve around the restrictions and incentives needed to curb economic opportunities and restrain impulses leading to corruption. Nevertheless, the sciences of politics and management have long brooded over it, noting that power can corrupt, corruption can empower, corruptors can wield manifold instruments, and the satisfaction of pride is one of them. This paper aims to focus on corruption not as an end but as an instrument of power.
Design/methodology/approach
This paper aims at analysing the deeper nature of corruption and the tools made use of to explain and address it. Accordingly it explores the limits of political integrity, the notions of democracy, the constraints of economic theory to fully interpret corruption and its variegated manifestations, and the alleged singularity of the ethics of politicians.
Findings
Political authorities in liberal democracies are expected to act with the consent of their constituencies and as a consequence of it. Constituencies in turn cannot disown what their authorities decide and do, at least in the long run. However, although certain prerogatives can be delegated on authorities, the responsibility of electorates cannot be delegated. Awareness of this double‐sided, principal‐agent co‐responsibility is what gathers together in mature societies mounting preoccupation for the integrity of political and administrative authorities.
Originality/value
The paper concludes that honesty and corruption in political authority and civil service are counter figure and reflection of the material organisation of power in a given society, time and geography. Public politics, through constant scrutiny of political and administrative actors, processes and actions, puts individual innocence to the test. That is, societies cannot be excused for the performance of their representatives because, by selecting some candidates for public office and some courses of action over others, they are also deciding on a collective story that stands as an evolving moral narration.
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Keywords
The purpose of this article is to take a look at a new paradigm that is taking shape in an increasingly‐interwoven international system – that of ethical governance.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this article is to take a look at a new paradigm that is taking shape in an increasingly‐interwoven international system – that of ethical governance.
Design/methodology/approach
This article uses the literature and the authors' own knowledge.
Findings
All over the world governments are relinquishing many of their hitherto‐inherent activities through deregulation, privatisation, concession, outsourcing or sheer desertion, even in sensitive areas like food and drug control, public health and personal security. Should corporations fulfil a social service in addition to their profit‐seeking function? How is the social incidence of corporate activity measured and who policies it? What are the boundaries of limited corporate liability? Is ethical governance just wishful thinking? This paper suggests that it is through principles‐based policymaking and management that these queries can be addressed in earnest as we may have reached the point of no return already.
Originality/value
The paper adds to the body of knowledge on ethical governance and will be of interest to those in the field.
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South‐South trade is the fastest growing segment of world trade in the last two decades. This paper aims at demonstrating that it is a unique opportunity and a sound development…
Abstract
Purpose
South‐South trade is the fastest growing segment of world trade in the last two decades. This paper aims at demonstrating that it is a unique opportunity and a sound development tool for developing countries.
Design/methodology/approach
The paper describes the statistical and empirical evidence from a macroeconomic and microeconomic viewpoint, and discusses the policy options developing country governments face to promote South‐South trade and investment.
Findings
Not all regions, countries, products and services fare equally in the current state of play. That South‐South trade expands at a much faster pace than other trade, although it is subject to higher barriers and higher distance‐related costs, suggests that addressing trade facilitation issues is of the essence for future progress, including major investments in trade‐related infrastructure, like the modernization of air and water ports, roads, transport and customs services.
Practical implications
South‐South trade expansion is a market‐driven development – mostly resulting from the widespread operation of international supply chains of the South – that may be enhanced by government intervention but seldom spearheaded by it in the long run.
Originality/value
The “natural” next questions are whether South‐South trade can be an alternative to North‐South trade, whether the learning process for international trading is enhanced or retarded by it, and whether the proliferation of PTAs is strangulating progress in rules‐based multilateralism, the first‐best choice according to mainstream economic theory. Even more important in development terms is whether South‐South trade can help bring developing countries, small‐ and medium‐sized enterprises (SMEs) and the poor into the export process or, rather, it is a distraction from the real targets. This paper suggests there are robust answers to these queries already.
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This paper aims to suggest that a more ambitious and structured ethical approach for environmental decision making is essential at this point of maturity of public and private…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to suggest that a more ambitious and structured ethical approach for environmental decision making is essential at this point of maturity of public and private management.
Design/methodology/approach
The paper reflects on the fact that the citizen‐consumer of our time views the environment as an integral part of collective well being and as a repository of public goods. Echoing authoritative sources that mull over, adopt and advocate for environmental conventions, agreements, regulations, guidelines, standards and good practices for countries, country groupings, industries, organizations and even households, the paper proposes specific steps to address the ethical queries concerned.
Findings
Calls for an integrated agenda for the global commons, based on a global policymaking mechanism, especially a global law and a global economic and financial system, keep proliferating, with the tacit understanding that higher ethical standards are of the essence. This implies that in matters environmental having the science, the economics and the politics right are necessary but not sufficient conditions to address questions that may fundamentally and irreversibly affect our present, our future and generations to come; and that entrepreneurs, corporate agents and public authorities need to deal with environmental conservation and management with resort to an ethical mode of reasoning and decision making as well.
Originality/value
Unlike a few decades ago, sound environmental conservation and management nowadays are largely viewed not only as public priorities, but also as moral imperatives. The paper calls for an unprecedented step further – to step up the ethical conversation about the environment and to embed the mechanism in the policymaking and compliance process, including through ethical audits.