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2020/2021 KAN-CPOLO1905U Corruption: Causes, Consequences and Policies
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| Corruption: Causes, Consequences and Policies |
Course information |
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| Language | English |
| Course ECTS | 7.5 ECTS |
| Type | Mandatory |
| Level | Full Degree Master |
| Duration | One Quarter |
| Start time of the course | Fourth Quarter |
| Timetable | Course schedule will be posted at calendar.cbs.dk |
| Study board |
Study Board for BSc/MSc i International Business and Politics,
MSc
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| Last updated on 21-08-2020 | |
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Corruption is a pervasive problem in both advanced and emerging economies. Highly profiled cases of political, administrative, and corporate corruption make media headlines on a regular basis, as witnessed in 2018 by Danske Bank’s money laundering scandal. Indeed, cases of grand corruption often involve high-ranking public officials and corporate executives, such as the recent corruption charges levelled against international oil companies Shell and Eni over a deal brokered with Nigerian government officials. In other instances, money and favours are traded for votes and political influence in ways that skew political decision-making processes. Corruption generally involves the abuse and exploitation of entrusted powers so as to secure private gains. This type of corruption permeates many aspects of political systems, interactions between voters and politicians, citizen access to public services, the relations between corporations and governments, as well as the institutional environment that businesses operate within. While corruption is sometimes said to “grease the wheels of business”, today it is widely recognized that corruption carries significant economic and social costs: It harms investment and economic growth, adversely affects public service provision to economically disadvantaged groups, and shapes the business environment that companies operate within. In spite of this, corruption continues to thrive around the world – in both business and politics. This course considers the causes and consequences of corruption – as well as anti-corruption policies that can be used to tackle the problem. These issues will be addressed by inquiring into political, administrative, and corporate corruption: Why do politicians, public officials, and business actors engage in corruption? What are the economic and political consequences of corruption? And what policies can be devised to reduce and fight corruption? In addressing these questions, we will engage in debates over various types of corruption – such as bribes extorted from citizens by politicians and government officials, kick-backs flowing between multinational corporations and high-ranking government officials, corporate fraud, and state capture. We will also consider issues that are located in a “grey zone”, such rent-seeking, lobbying, and the “revolving door” between business and government. The course will introduce theories and approaches that help us understand and analyse corruption, and it will engage with empirical material and cases of political, administrative, and corporate corruption from around the world that serve to highlight the real-world relevance and impact of corruption – as well as how governments and businesses can fight it. |
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| Description of the teaching methods | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lectures, seminars, and student participation. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
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| The course seeks to provide continuous feedback
and establish an ongoing dialogue with students. It does so
specifically in the following ways:
a. Students are encouraged to use office hours to obtain feedback on questions arising throughout the course. Office hours can be used individually or by groups in prearranged time slots, where bookings can be made by contacting teaching staff in advance. b. During exercises/workshops, students will get feedback on answers to questions that are made available before class. c. There will two (2) voluntary multiple choice quizzes made available on CBS Canvas. Feedback will later be given explaining the reasons why a particular answer was correct or incorrect and indicating how/where further material on the topic can be found. Feedback will also relate the answers to readings in the course. d. There will be one (1) voluntary assignment written individually or in groups. After the voluntary assignment, feedback on the voluntary assignment will be given that will address the strengths and weaknesses of the assignments and the extent to which they address the learning objectives set for the course. Feedback will be given in a class dedicated to that specific purpose. Students are encouraged to form self-study groups and, if academic issues arise, contact staff for support. |
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