This study is, to the authors knowledge, the fi rst empirical cross-country analysis of the relationship between corruption and human development (HD) in Africa. In most African countries the current state of HD is critically poor. In spite of two decades of democratization and substantial economic growth or stability corruption has become endemic and tends to adversely affect HD conditions and needs. Using a pooledcross- section-across time-design and a sample of 40 African countries over many years (2003 2007) and based on an OLS Analysis, this study attempts an empirical examination of the association between corruption and HD in Africa, while holding constant economic growth, government socioeconomic or welfare expenditures and political system and, controlling for some major internal and external economic variables. As found, corruption adversely affects human development in Africa. Overall, based on the main study model (Model 1) a unit increase in the corruption level (CPI) on a scale of 1 to 10 will cause a .48 percent decrease in the state of HD (HDI).The relationship between corruption and HD is however non-linear: using Model 3 which incorporate a square term of corruption, it was found that at and below 4.577 RCPI (i.e. 5.42 normal CPI) corruptions is likely to positively affect HD whereas at and above 4.577 RCPI corruption rather tends to adversely affect HD with an increasing return. Besides, it was also found, using Model 2 which incorporates an interaction term of corruption and political system, that democratization has deceived scientists theoretical projections and peoples political expectations of the 1990s. Democracy has not improved HD in Africa. Both non-and partly democratic (i.e., authoritarian) and democratic political systems adversely affect HD. The adverse impact of corruption on HD is even worse in the latter systems. After checking for the main effect (Model 2) it appears that, as corruption increases by one unit, HD decreases by 9.48 percent in African countries with authoritarian systems. In contrast , the same one unit increase in corruption will have an additional 5.23 percent decrease in the HD of African countries with a democratic system. This study brings new insights about public policies ineffectiveness and failures to satisfy increasing HD needs in Africa. It throws new lights on the relationship existing between economic growth, democracy and corruption and HD. It suggests some policy reforms which could improve the state of HD in Africa. Overall, it is an important contribution to the theoretical and empirical body of administrative theory and knowledge.

Corruption is one of the major challenges impeding Africa’s growth and development efforts and its impact is much more pronounced at this point of the continent’s development trajectory. Corruption has political, economic, and social consequences and this book argues that any efforts to help Africa grow and develop must prioritise the fight against it, so that the aid and funding given for projects in the region can continue to be sustained. The book also tackles the issue of national security and instability caused by corruption. The author argues that progress cannot happen in countries and environments where instability exists and persists. Corruption in Africa has contributed to instability and other national security challenges, especially in fragile states on the continent. The book starts by looking at the three major types of corruption: petty, grand, and systemic and then goes on to address the different categories of corruption such as bureaucratic, legislative, political, as well as public and private sector aspects. It also deals with common forms of corruption as well as some of the causes, such as bad governance and excessive greed, to mention a few. Further, it critically examines how current political systems on the continent contribute to this condition. The book argues that some of the solutions that have been proposed to date are not viable or have not worked in practice, and through applied research, offers workable solutions that policy makers, African politicians, academics, and students of economics and development can use as a reference guide in the fight against corruption.

African states are often called corrupt, indicating that the political system in Africa differs from the one prevalent in economically advanced democracies. This, however, does not give us any insight into what makes corruption the dominant norm of African statehood. Thus we must turn to the overly neglected theoretical work on the political economy of Africa in order to determine how the poverty of governance in Africa is firmly anchored both in Africa’s domestic socioeconomic reality, as well as in the region’s role in the international economic order. Instead of focusing on increased monitoring, enforcement and formal democratic procedures, this book combines economic analysis with political theory in order to arrive at a better understanding of the political-economic roots of corruption in Sub-Saharan Africa.

Corruption in Africa makes a significant contribution to the study of the impacts and eradication of corruption in African societies. John Mukum Mbaku offers a comprehensive analysis of the causes of public malfeasance in African countries and provides a number of practical and effective policy options for change. This book demonstrates the destructive relationship between corruption and the abrogation of economic freedoms and entrepreneurship, a system that has clearly left Africa as one of the most deprived regions in the world. Utilizing the tools of public choice theory, Mbaku emphasizes the important role that institutions have in corruption control and he recommends reconstructive democratic constitutions as the most effective means of development. Until African states provide their people with institutional arrangements that adequately constrain the state and enhance wealth production, the living standards in the continent will continue to deteriorate. Corruption in Africa is a fascinating and informative text that will appeal to those interested in African studies and developmental policies.

Bringing together a distinguished cast of contributors, the book provides an authoritative and definitive analysis of the theory, practice and development impact of corruption in Africa. Combating corruption is demonstrated to require greater priority in the quest for African development.

Corruption, Good Governance and Economic Development adopts a non-Eurocentric approach towards good governance issues in Asia and Africa on practical and theoretical levels. Edited by R N Ghosh and M A B Siddique, this volume features contributions from distinguished scholars and policy makers who examine whether there is any correlation between the level of corruption in a country and its rate of economic change. These chapters are the outcome of major papers that were presented in conferences on the topic of “Good Governance and Economic Development” presented in Australia and India in June and December 2009 respectively, and it is hoped that they will bridge the gap in the area of good governance from a non-Western perspective in existing development literature. Contents: Corruption, Crime and Economic Growth:Some Quantitative Measures of Corruption (R N Ghosh and M A B Siddique)Using the Release of Information as an Indicator of Government Transparency (Andrew Williams)Deliberative Democracy, Global Green Information System and Spirituality (Dora Marinova, Vladislav Todorov and Amzad Hossain)Selected Case Studies:Governance, Institutions and Corruption: Negative Sovereignty in Africa(Derek H Aldcroft)Corruption in Bangladesh: Review and Analysis (M A B Siddique)Restoring Sustainable Governance in Bangladesh (Amzad Hossain and Dora Marinova)Crime, Corruption and Economic Growth — A Study in Indian Perspective (Gautam M Chakrabarti)Comparative Crime and Corruption in Different Indian States in the Context of Economic Development (Surajit Kar Purkayastha)A Certain Uncertainty; Assessment of Court Decisions in Tackling Corruption in Indonesia (Rimawan Pradiptyo)Does Governance Reform in a Democratic Transition Country Reduce the Risk of Corruption? Evidence from Indonesia (Budi Setiyono)Conclusion and Policy Implications:Conclusion: Good Governance and Sustainable Development (M A B Siddique and R N Ghosh) Readership: Undergraduates and postgraduates focused on development studies; policymakers with an interest in development issues in Asia and non-governmental organizations. Key Features:The book contains a good deal of useful statistical informationSome of the papers are contributed by distinguished scholars based on evidenceVarious chapters make an in depth analysis of the relationships between corruption and developmentKeywords:Corruption;Good Governance;Transparency;India;Bangladesh;Indonesia;Africa