Measuring Corruption

Abstract

It was established in the first chapter that no international consensus existed concerning the definition of corruption, making the subject difficult to study empirically. This problem is compounded by the concealed nature of corruption that rarely leaves any obviously visible trail. Unlike other crimes, such as homicide, robbery and sexual offences, there are often no witnesses involved. Further, direct victimisation caused through corrupt activity may neither be immediately or individually felt. Public knowledge of its occurrence therefore can be minimal. Its many diverse forms, which present challenges when attempting to define corrupt transactions, also provide vexation when undertaking its measurement. Against this backdrop, this chapter will examine the various efforts that have been made, both historically and contemporarily, to gauge its (i) prevalence; (ii) relative level (when compared to other countries); (iii) impact; and (iv) the effectiveness of anti-corruption initiatives and reforms. Being able to understand the level of corruption that is occurring in a certain domain is important since, when corruption is able to be measured, regardless of how approximate any figure might be, it can be learned what factors may be involved in any reduction of its incidence (Collier, 2000).