GV317-6-SP-CO:
Corruption
2023/24
Government
Colchester Campus
Spring
Undergraduate: Level 6
Current
Monday 15 January 2024
Friday 22 March 2024
15
17 February 2022
Requisites for this module
(none)
(none)
(none)
(none)
(none)
In this module, we'll examine corruption, a global problem that is present in dictatorships as well as democracies, in developing and more developed societies alike. In particular, we'll focus on the impact of corruption on democratic regimes.
At the extreme, corruption hampers economic development, reinforces social inequality, and undermine democratic development generally. We start by defining corruption and discuss alternative tools to evaluate the extent of corruption within a given polity. We'll then examine the causes and consequence of corruption (both political and bureaucratic). Last, but not least, we'll evaluate existing strategies to contain and control this problem.
The module is meant to encourage students to think on their own, while ensuring that their thoughts are coherent and logically sound. At the end of the class, students should be able to articulate cogent answers to questions such as: Can corruption lead to positive economic outcomes? How does corruption affect the wellbeing of citizens and their satisfaction with democracy?
The module aims to introduce students to the topic of political and bureaucratic corruption, a global problem that is present in dictatorships as well as democracies, in developing and more developed societies alike.
The module is meant to encourage students to think on their own, while ensuring that their thoughts are coherent and logically sound. At the end of the module, students should be able to articulate cogent answers to questions such as: Can corruption lead to positive economic outcomes? How does corruption affect the wellbeing of citizens and their satisfaction with democracy?
No additional information available.
This module will be taught over 2 hours per week
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Landman, T. and Carvalho, E. (2017)
Issues and methods in comparative politics: an introduction. Fourth edition. Abingdon: Routledge. Available at:
https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&scope=site&db=nlebk&db=nlabk&AN=1430187.
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Johnston, M. (2005g)
Syndromes of corruption: wealth, power, and democracy. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. Available at:
https://doi-org.uniessexlib.idm.oclc.org/10.1017/CBO9780511490965.
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Lambsdorff, J. (2008g)
The institutional economics of corruption and reform: theory, evidence, and policy. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. Available at:
https://doi.org/10.1017/CBO9780511492617.
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Camerer, M.I. (2006) ‘Measuring Public Integrity’,
Journal of Democracy, 17(1), pp. 152–165. Available at:
https://doi.org/10.1353/jod.2006.0004.
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Eric C. C. ChangMiriam A. Golden (2007) ‘Electoral Systems, District Magnitude and Corruption’,
Electoral Systems, District Magnitude and Corruption, 37(1), pp. 115–137. Available at:
https://www.jstor.org/stable/4497282.
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Susan D. Hyde (2011) ‘Catch Us If You Can: Election Monitoring and International Norm Diffusion’,
Catch Us If You Can: Election Monitoring and International Norm Diffusion, 55(2), pp. 356–369. Available at:
https://www.jstor.org/stable/23025056.
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Choi, J.-W. (2007) ‘Governance Structure and Administrative Corruption in Japan: An Organizational Network Approach’,
Public Administration Review, 67(5), pp. 930–942. Available at:
https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1540-6210.2007.00779.x.
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Weyland, K.G. (1998) ‘The Politics of Corruption in Latin America’,
Journal of Democracy, 9(2), pp. 108–121. Available at:
https://doi.org/10.1353/jod.1998.0034.
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Heidenheimer, A.J. and Johnston, M. (2002)
Political corruption: concepts & contexts. 3rd ed. New Brunswick, N.J.: Transaction Publishers. Available at:
https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&scope=site&db=nlebk&db=nlabk&AN=395704.
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Robinson, J.A., Torvik, R. and Verdier, T. (2006) ‘Political foundations of the resource curse’,
Journal of Development Economics, 79(2), pp. 447–468. Available at:
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jdeveco.2006.01.008.
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Mitchell A. Seligson (2002) ‘The Impact of Corruption on Regime Legitimacy: A Comparative Study of Four Latin American Countries’,
The Impact of Corruption on Regime Legitimacy: A Comparative Study of Four Latin American Countries, 64(2), pp. 408–433. Available at:
https://www.jstor.org/stable/2691854.
The above list is indicative of the essential reading for the course.
The library makes provision for all reading list items, with digital provision where possible, and these resources are shared between students.
Further reading can be obtained from this module's
reading list.
Assessment items, weightings and deadlines
| Coursework / exam |
Description |
Deadline |
Coursework weighting |
| Coursework |
Online test |
|
50% |
| Coursework |
Reassessment without attendance 2022-23 ONLY IF REQUIRED BY EXAM BOARD |
|
|
| Coursework |
Essay |
|
50% |
Exam format definitions
- Remote, open book: Your exam will take place remotely via an online learning platform. You may refer to any physical or electronic materials during the exam.
- In-person, open book: Your exam will take place on campus under invigilation. You may refer to any physical materials such as paper study notes or a textbook during the exam. Electronic devices may not be used in the exam.
- In-person, open book (restricted): The exam will take place on campus under invigilation. You may refer only to specific physical materials such as a named textbook during the exam. Permitted materials will be specified by your department. Electronic devices may not be used in the exam.
- In-person, closed book: The exam will take place on campus under invigilation. You may not refer to any physical materials or electronic devices during the exam. There may be times when a paper dictionary,
for example, may be permitted in an otherwise closed book exam. Any exceptions will be specified by your department.
Your department will provide further guidance before your exams.
Overall assessment
Reassessment
Module supervisor and teaching staff
Dr Ximena Velasco Guachalla, email: vv20291@essex.ac.uk.
Yes
Yes
No
Dr Edward Morgan-Jones
University of Kent
Reader in Comparative Politics
Available via Moodle
Of 20 hours, 20 (100%) hours available to students:
0 hours not recorded due to service coverage or fault;
0 hours not recorded due to opt-out by lecturer(s), module, or event type.
Government
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