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[Global corruption report 2001] Middle east and north africa
al-Kilani, Sa'eda
al-Kilani, Sa'eda
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Abstract
Corruption, sustained by skewed standards of living and a lack of transparent governance across the Middle East and North Africa (MENA), is a major hindrance to the region’s economic development. From Yemen, with a per capita income of around US $300 a year, to the United Arab Emirates (UAE), with a per capita income of around US $18,000, all countries are confronted by nepotism, favouritism and profiteering.1 Strong networks of leading entrepreneurs and state officials blur the distinction between public and private sectors. In large state bureaucracies, petty corruption among civil servants is widespread, often linked to traditions of wasta – the use of connections for personal gain. The state has traditionally dominated the political landscape. In the Gulf, where states are cushioned by oil income or other rents, regimes maintain a large degree of immunity from popular demands for change. But a closed and autocratic flavour to public life is also the norm in other countries in the region. Egypt, Jordan and Tunisia were in the vanguard of economic reform programmes in the 1980s, but the years leading up to 2000–01 have seen more widespread talk of change. Discussion of political and economic reform is now more common, partly as a result of public disenchantment, but mostly due to rulers’ recognition that without addressing reform their countries are in danger of being marginalised in the world economy. Most regimes remain resistant to dialogue on politically sensitive governance- related issues, however. Information on corruption is notoriously hard to find and research by both local and foreign analysts is hesitant. Attacks on local academics, the media or civil society groups that become too active are frequent. But the rhetoric of change is sweeping the region, accompanied by the emergence of electronic media that foster increased transparency. Governments’ control of information and the pace of change is growing less sure.
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Book chapter
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2001
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393571100X
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With permission of the license/copyright holder