Some implications
1. Formal approaches to corruption will likely fail
An institutional or legalistic approach to tackling corruption – i.e.
one aimed at the formal level – carries a significant risk of failure,
because the informal system is highly effective at manipulating the
formal system.
This means transplanting “best practice” reforms from one context to
another may not be effective. However, the formal rules of the game play
a key role for informal governance because they provide camouflage and
define room to manoeuvre.
Thus, formal rules can be entry point for change, but identifying
which rules can be game changers hinges on understanding the system.
This is one of the areas where we are deepening our research in the
ongoing Phase 2 project, so stay tuned for more on this.
2. Informal networks explain why corruption persists
The centrality of informal networks goes a long way in explaining why corrupt practices persist beyond particular leaders.
Functional practices involving the prebendal use of public office and
resources are upheld by multiple actors who are embedded in symbiotic
relationships. Informal networks are resilient but they can also break
down. Major changes in leadership, or democratic structure of a country,
can result in powerful networks being swept away.
Thus, practitioners should be sensitive to identifying windows of
opportunity for change where their efforts to promote anti-corruption
may be more effective.
3. Social networks influence behaviour
Social networks are known to be powerful influences for setting and
redefining social norms and expectations and therefore influencing
behaviours and decision making.
Harnessing strategically the power of the networks for purposes of
advancing anti-corruption goals could involve cultivating support for
networks of anti-corruption champions (typically the “outsiders”) and
piloting innovative anti-corruption interventions whereby positive
messages and behavioural change are promoted through informal social
networks.
4. Informal governance can be harnessed for good governance outcomes
When crimes incur enforcing not only a legal penalty, but also a
social penalty (such as loss of status) can result in more effective
incentives to avoid corruption.
Providing positive, constructive incentives towards behaving without
corruption is another way of harnessing informality for positive ends. Integrity Action’s
approach, in which citizens constructively solve governance problems at
the community level, and publish these solutions openly, is an example
of this.
