[Global Corruption Report 2007] Corruption Research

Abstract

"Stefan Voigt’s study investigates the possible determinants of judicial corruption by examining various factors thought to influence levels of corruption in the judiciary. The study provides evidence of strong associations between levels of judicial corruption and factors such as the official salary of judges, the level of complexity of the judicial system and the expediency with which the courts process cases. Next, Ernesto Dal Bó, Pedro Dal Bó and Rafael Di Tella address the role immunity laws play in the fight against corruption. By considering an environment where influence on public officials is carried out not only through bribes but also through threats, they are able to conclude that immunity laws do not hinder the fight against corruption, but rather, in the presence of threats and an ineffective justice system, might actually help. Åse Grødeland’s contribution analyses why judicial reform processes that consider only changes in formal institutions and laws may not be enough to curb corruption. Via interviews and surveys gathered from various transition countries, Grødeland highlights how informal networks and social norms might help foster an environment of corrupt practices. Her findings support the conclusion that any successful judicial reform process must consider factors that lie outside the formal system. A number of recent studies focus on measuring the effectiveness of the anti-corruption policies already in place in the judicial system. This is important for determining the progress made in the anti-corruption effort, since unless anti-corruption initiatives are properly enforced, they have little real impact on curbing corruption."(pg 293)