The Institutional Economics of Corruption and Reform

Reviews / Votes

Review of the hardback: 'Lambsdorff provides a sound institutional economic analysis of corruption and possible reforms. This book will improve our understanding of the difficult topic of corruption and will help policy makers to better cope with its consequences. It will be the standard treatment of this subject for many years to come.' Friedrich Schneider, Professor of Economics, Johannes Kepler University of Linz Review of the hardback: 'Johann Graf Lambsdorff has spearheaded research on anti-corruption over the last decade...In his new book he gives novel insights into corruption and anti-corruption ... this book is sure to further motivate and initiate the fight against corruption as well as to provide inspiration to academics and practitioners.' Peter Eigen, Founder and Chairman of the Board of Transparency International Review of the hardback: 'In this valuable book, Johann Graf Lambsdorff, developer of Transparency International's Corruption Perceptions Index, brings his vast knowledge to the task of understanding and combating corruption. Economists usually study the incentives to pay and receive bribes; they recommend strategies of prevention and transparency. Lambsdorff, in contrast, emphasizes the structure of the corrupt deal itself. Corrupt actors face the risk of betrayal; hence, reform should seek to make betrayal more likely. His conclusions support law enforcement techniques that reward the corrupt for supplying information as well as measures that make communication between officials and clients difficult and costly. With his distinctive perspective, Lambsdorff has made an important contribution to the field of corruption studies.' Susan Rose-Ackerman, Henry R. Luce Professor of Law and Political Science, Yale Law School Review of the hardback: 'Johann Graf Lambsdorff is the man behind the Corruption Index from Transparency International. It is reported - often with lurid headlines - across the world every year when it is issued. A government loves it when its country rises even a few steps up towards honesty, and the opposition and many journalists love it when their country descends even a few steps down towards corruption. With such fame and notoriety everything that is known and written about corruption descends upon Johann Graf Lambsdorff, and this book is his summary and thoughts after twelve years of the TI index. The book is first of all a detailed and thoughtful survey of the evidence and the literature. It is also a strong plea for a more honest world, with very insightful discussions of a broad range of proposals for reform.' Martin Paldam, Professor of Economics, University of Aarhus, Denmark