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Administrative Corruption

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Encyclopedia of Law and Economics

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Definition

Abuse of public power for private gain.

Introduction

The widespread interest at national and international level in combating administrative corruption is strictly connected with the idea that it produces many negative effects, distorts incentives, and weakens institutions. On the other hand, administrative corruption has been also considered as an extralegal institution which – under certain conditions – could even produce positive effects.

Anti-corruption strategies have been developed with reference to a Principal-Agent-Client model or using an incentive-disincentive approach as well as an ethical perspective.

However, preventing corruption needs a toolbox: good quality regulation, also when regulation determines sanctions; controls, which should be sustainable and informed to deterrence and planning; and administrative reforms, in order to reduce monopoly and discretionary powers, to strengthen the civil service, and to ensure transparency and information.

Administrative...

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Political Science, Roma Tre University, Rome, Italy

    Maria De Benedetto

Authors
  1. Maria De Benedetto
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Maria De Benedetto .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Montpellier, France

    Alain Marciano

  2. Dept DiGSPES, Univ del Piemonte Orientale Dept DiGSPES, Alessandria, Italy

    Giovanni Battista Ramello

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De Benedetto, M. (2021). Administrative Corruption. In: Marciano, A., Ramello, G.B. (eds) Encyclopedia of Law and Economics. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4614-7883-6_527-2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4614-7883-6_527-2

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  • Publisher Name: Springer, New York, NY

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-4614-7883-6

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-4614-7883-6

  • eBook Packages: Springer Reference Economics and FinanceReference Module Humanities and Social SciencesReference Module Business, Economics and Social Sciences

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Chapter history

  1. Latest

    Administrative Corruption
    Published:
    12 November 2020

    DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4614-7883-6_527-2

  2. Original

    Administrative Corruption
    Published:
    21 June 2014

    DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4614-7883-6_527-1

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