Abstract
In the past two decades Western governments, donors and NGOs have become focused on reducing corruption in developing countries. This is a relatively recent phenomenon; the early 1990s saw influential organisations, such as the international non-government organisation Transparency International (TI), push for the mainstreaming of anti-corruption measures in development organisations. TI has subsequently become the most influential anti-corruption organisation in the world; resulting in governments, businesses, citizens and civil society organisations becoming much more aware of, and willing to respond to, the deleterious nature of corruption. TI has helped to raise concerns about corruption at many levels of society, however, little is known about its effect upon local anti-corruption organisations and movements within developing countries. This article compares the politics of one group of Papua New Guinean anti-corruption activists (Civil Society and Non-government Organisation Coalition) with the local chapter of TI. It suggests that the radical politics of the former was influenced by the cautious politics of the latter. The Coalitions change of politics highlighted its need for legitimacy in the eyes of larger anti-corruption organisations. This comparison illuminates the deficiencies of TI in engaging with local concerns about corruption, and augments literature critical of the international anti-corruption agenda.
Original language | English |
---|---|
Publisher | The University of Melbourne |
Place of Publication | Melbourne, Australia |
Publication status | Published - 2010 |