Institutional corruption is an underdeveloped concept. The main reason is that it lacks a moral foundation. Consequently, our practical tools for fighting it are underdeveloped too. In my research, I ask what the moral foundation of institutions is and I present a preliminary outline for a more adequate concept of institutional corruption.
My research is divided into three parts. Firstly, I show what is distinctive of institutional corruption from the perspective of traditional corruption and why I think that other concepts of institutional corruption fall short. Secondly, I discuss what is institutional about institutional corruption, based on institutional theory. Here, I discuss what institutions are and what institutional legitimacy means from the perspective of institutional corruption. Thirdly, I discuss what is corruptive about institutional corruption, primarily within the traditions of Kant and Habermas. Here, I argue that institutional corruption is wrong because of the violation of moral principles that pertain to those involved with the institution. The most harmful consequence of institutional corruption is that public trust in the institution is weakened.
In summary, I argue that institutional corruption is characterised by two essential components: 1) institutional functioning from a moral perspective, and 2) public trust. I conclude that institutional corruption means that an institution (a) insufficiently regards the moral principles that direct its functioning and pertain to all those involved, and (b) for that reason also weakens public trust.
