The Institutional Conditionants of Non-State Actors' Efforts to Enhance Good Government

Abstract

That political corruption has deleterious consequences for both economic growth and social welfare is by now well documented. Research mapping the institutional and societal correlates of corruption has also begun to shed light on the conditions conducive to enhancing good government. This panel focuses attention on the role and efforts of non-state actors – civil society organizations, the media, international organizations, the development cooperation community – to bring about good, non-corrupt government. Existing research on anti-corruption reform campaigns, as well as on societal accountability, suggests that non-state actors can and do contribute to bringing about better government, but that their effectiveness seems to be highly contingent upon the institutional and policy framework in place, as well as the prevailing political circumstances. Many questions remain, however, as prior work has generally not placed a primary focus on the interaction between the contextual conditions and movements' efforts. Which institutions of accountability – anti-corruption ombudsmen, public prosecution offices, or transparency laws – contribute to successful societal accountability? Conversely, are the efforts of non-state actors decisive in the overall effectiveness of these accountability mechanisms? What groups and strategies advance reforms in various political and institutional settings? What state actors support change and which groups in society oppose reform? What circumstances contribute to failure or cooptation? Paper presenters include Marcia Grimes, Monika Bauhr and Alina Mungiu-Pippidi.

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