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Article Information:
Title:
Measurements and markets: deconstructing the corruption perception index
Author(s):
William De Maria
Journal:
International Journal of Public Sector Management
Year:
2008
Volume:
Issue:
Page:
777 - 797
DOI:
10.1108/09513550810904569
Publisher:
Emerald Group Publishing Limited
Document Access:
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Abstract:
Purpose – The paper aims to examine how the measurement of African “corruption” has been manipulated to serve western economic interests.
Design/methodology/approach – In depth secondary source analysis within a post-colonial framework.
Findings – The most popular measure of corruption, Transparency International's corruption perception index (CPI), is a flawed instrument. Capable only of calculating proxies of corruption, the measure is oblivious to cultural variance and is business-centric in style. The CPI is embraced in good faith by African governments and donor organisations oblivious to its deeper purpose of serving western economic and geo-political interests under the guise of weeding out something falsely portrayed as a universal negative.
Practical implications – The paper will assist efforts to ground the anti-corruption effort in the realities of Africa.
Originality/value – The paper is part of a minority scholarship that seeks to provide space for the consideration of alternatives to the dominant conceptions of corruption and its measurement.
Keywords:
Africa,
Corruption,
Measurement
Article Type:
Research paper
References:
Article URL:
www.emeraldinsight.com/10.1108/09513550810904569