| Chapter 1: | Introduction |
It has been suggested by some commentators that development partners can also take up the issue of corruption and push it strongly in their negotiations with partner governments.15 Civil society organisations (CSOs), it is also argued, have a crucial role to play in raising awareness about corruption and in educating citizens about their rights and the proper responsibilities of their governments.16 There is a strong view that CSOs can bolster political will by supporting and advising governments on anti-corruption reform and monitoring government’s actions.17
But where the requisite political will to fight corruption is missing among the political class and institutions at the top levels of society, it is advisable that anti-corruption reformers find other avenues to press their concerns.18 Also, for countries where there are weak institutions,
Be that as it may, solid institutional hooks alone may not guarantee an end to corruption. There is need to marshal public support and ownership of anti-corruption programs in order to build valuable synergies and sound cultures of good governance.20 The evolution of such cultures is what might help to break down the political colossal that often shields and protects corruption from its hunters.
In a recent study by a senior World Bank official, Daniel Kaufmann, that author identified what he calls ‘Back to Basics: 10 Myths about Corruption and Governance.’21 According to Kaufmann, two of the 10 myths on corruption and governance are as follows: