Background
The Corruption Perception Index (CPI) is a widely recognized tool developed by Transparency International, a non-governmental organization based in Berlin. The CPI is intended to provide a comparative overview of perceived corruption within public sector institutions across various countries and territories worldwide. It plays a pivotal role in raising awareness and fostering conversations about corruption and governance.
Historical Context
Transparency International first introduced the CPI in 1995 and it has since become one of the most cited corruption indices globally. This index was created out of a necessity to quantify the largely subjective and elusive nature of corruption using consistent and reliable benchmarks.
Definitions and Concepts
The Corruption Perception Index scores countries on a scale from zero to 100, where zero signifies high levels of perceived corruption, and 100 signifies a perceived lack of corruption or a very clean public sector. These scores are derived from surveys and expert assessments on corruption perceptions affecting the public sector.
Major Analytical Frameworks
Classical Economics
In classical economics, public sector corruption is largely seen as a distortion of the free market. Structures like CPI help quantify such distortions, assisting in analyses aimed at improving market efficiencies.
Neoclassical Economics
Neoclassical economists might use CPI to correlate the levels of perceived corruption with various economic outcomes such as GDP growth, investment levels, and institutional effectiveness.
Keynesian Economics
From a Keynesian perspective, the corruption that the CPI measures could be analyzed as a barrier to effective government intervention and public expenditure that is vital for economic stabilization and growth.
Marxian Economics
Marxian economists view corruption and the resulting indices as symptomatic of deeper systemic inequalities, where the concentration of wealth and power inevitably breeds corrupt practices.
Institutional Economics
Institutional economics places CPI squarely within the analysis of the effectiveness and integrity of institutions. The index is a diagnostic tool to assess the ‘health’ and governance of institutions within different societies.
Behavioral Economics
Scholars in behavioral economics might explore the disconnect between actual corruption and its perception, as captured by the CPI. The emphasis is on understanding the psychological, social, and cultural factors influencing corruption perceptions.
Post-Keynesian Economics
Post-Keynesians may employ the CPI to highlight how corruption undermines state interventionist strategies which are foundational for employment, financing, and structural policies aiming at equitable growth.
Austrian Economics
Austrian economists would use the CPI as evidence of government failures and inefficiencies, often advocating for lesser state intervention as a remedy.
Development Economics
The CPI is especially significant in development economics, where it can indicate hurdles to development posed by corruption and be a tool to argue for institutional reforms in developing nations.
Monetarism
Monetarists might utilize the CPI to show how corruption affects the credibility of monetary policies and the management of economic variables like inflation and money supply.
Comparative Analysis
Comparative analyses using the CPI can illuminate contrasts across regions and over time, providing a broad perspective on global corruption trends. These studies often correlate CPI scores with other indicators like economic performance, political stability, and social development.
Case Studies
- Nordic Countries: Typically, Scandinavia nations score the highest, reflecting perceived effective governance and public integrity.
- Sub-Saharan Africa: These countries often score lower, spotlighting persistent governance challenges.
- Transition Economies: Eastern Europe and Central Asia provide examples of how CPI scores evolve as nations transition from centrally planned to market economies.
Suggested Books for Further Studies
- “Corruption in International Business” by Sharon Eicher
- “Economic Gangsters: Corruption, Violence, and the Poverty of Nations” by Ray Fisman and Edward Miguel
- “Corruption: What Everyone Needs to Know” by Ray Fisman and Miriam A. Golden
Related Terms with Definitions
- Transparency: Openness and accountability in public affairs.
- Governance: The processes and structures through which public services and policies are implemented.
- Bribery: Offering, giving or receiving something of value as a means to influence actions.
- Institutional Quality: The integrity, capacity, and efficiency of public institutions.
- Public Sector: The part of an economy that is controlled by the government.
