CONTENTS

Economic Perspectives

Electronic Journals of the U.S. Information Agency, Vol. 3, No. 5, November 1998

Focus Commentary
Facts and Figures Information Resources

CORRUPTION: AN IMPEDIMENT TO DEVELOPMENT

FOCUS

Promoting the Rule of Law and Anti-Corruption in a Globalized Economy
By Stuart Eizenstat, Undersecretary of State for Economics, Business and Agricultural Affairs
Corruption damages economic development, hinders the growth of democratic institutions, and impedes the ability of developing countries to attract foreign investment.

The OECD Anti-Corruption Treaty: Why Is It Needed, How Will It Work?
An interview with Eleanor Roberts Lewis, Chief Counsel for International Commerce, U.S. Department of Commerce
A significant factor in the Asian economic crisis was corruption and cronyism. The OECD treaty offers an alternative to business by bribery that is healthier and more stable for everyone.

Corruption: A Persistent Development Challenge
By J. Brian Atwood, Director, U.S. Agency for International Development
Developed and developing countries alike share the growing view that corruption undermines their political and economic interests. USAID is at the forefront in providing strategies to developing countries to reform bureaucracies and create independent judiciaries.



COMMENTARY

A Back-to-Basics Anti-Corruption Strategy
By James Wolfensohn, President, World Bank
The perception in donor countries that their money is being wasted by corruption is one of the greatest threats to future aid.

Curbing Corruption: Reforming the Bribe-Givers
By Frank Vogl, Vice Chairman, Transparency International
Increasing numbers of corporations around the world are becoming sensitive to the risks of being exposed as corrupt and to the merits of pursuing business with integrity.

Corruption in Procurement
By Donald Strombom, President, IDBC
The best way to fight bribery is to reform the bidding process for government procurement contracts.

The Integrity Pact: A Way Out of the Trap
By Michael Wiehen, Chairman, Transparency International - Germany, and Carel Mohn, Chief Information Officer, Transparency International
To initiate the process of cleaning up corruption in a given country, Transparency International has developed what it calls an Integrity Pact. The pact is designed to eliminate bribery in a narrow market sector or limited geographical area.

Journalist Training to Curb Corruption
By David Pezzullo, Consultant, Economic Development Institute, The World Bank
Media training in the broadest sense is arguably one of the most effective and justifiable means of curbing corruption in societies in need of fundamental institutional reform.

Corruption: The Polish and Russian Experiences
By Timothy Frye, Assistant Professor of Political Science, The Ohio State University
Bureaucratic reform is a key element to reducing corruption in Russia and Eastern Europe.



FACTS AND FIGURES

Summary of the OECD Anti-Bribery Convention


Transparency International's 1998 Corruption Perception Index


The International Chamber of Commerce's Rules
Against Extortion and Bribery


Foreign Corrupt Practices Act Antibribery Provisions


Declaration of Lima


The OAS Inter-American Convention Against Corruption




INFORMATION RESOURCES

Key U.S. Government Contacts and Internet Sites

Additional Readings on Bribery and Corruption

Economic Perspectives

An Electronic Journal of the U.S. Information Agency

Volume 3, Number 5, November 1998

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