Network-based governance
The research uncovered the centrality of informal social
networks that operate at all levels, linking up political elites,
business interests and ordinary citizens. The practices of the networks
are associated with the prevalence of high levels of corruption but are
also useful to “get things done” and as a result become entrenched.
From the perspective of citizens – in contexts where resources are
scarce and the state is weak – building strong personal connections
helps gain access to public services or career opportunities. For
example, the research shows that citizens resort to bribery to solve
immediate problems – e.g. get medical treatment – but also as a means to
grow and cultivate their social networks. The reason for this is that
the bribe is not intended as a one-off transaction; rather, it is about
building relationships, for instance, with a useful health worker.
For political elites, networks can help win and maintain political
power. Cultivating informal networks helps to reward supporters,
sanction dissidents, and demobilise opponents, thus promoting regime
survival. The usefulness of networks is evident, for example, during
elections, when links to business interests can be mobilised to finance
campaign costs and patronage networks activated to secure votes.
For business interests, informal networks involving powerful
political figures provide access to profitable government contracts,
“special” tax exemptions and other financial benefits. Sometimes
entrepreneurs build their networks by sponsoring aspiring politicians
who, when successful, are obliged to use their decision-making authority
to look after the interests of their benefactors.
Adopting an informality lens helps to shed light upon the resilience
of corruption. Network-based behaviours are persistent because they tend
to outlive any particular individual member. In this regard, the
research has identified three distinct informal governance practices
that networks use to pursue their goals namely Co-optation, Control and Camouflage (or “the 3 Cs”).
These patterns, with particular context-related peculiarities, can be
found across the seven countries studied. To learn more about the 3Cs
click here.
