Our government... teaches the whole people by its example.  If the government becomes the lawbreaker, it breeds contempt for law; it invites every man to become a law unto himself; it invites anarchy. 

--Louis Brandeis


 


  


Curbing Corruption - Unit 8: Coalition Building

 

Learning Objectives

What role can coalitions play in corruption control?

After studying this unit, you should be able to:

  • Understand how coalitions are built and most effective;
  • Understand the role for coalitions in corruption policy reform;
  • Understand the role for parliament in successful coalition building.
 
Introduction


Societies rarely bring corruption under control through only penalties, morality campaigns, or administrative improvements and working alone is even less effective. Long-term corruption control requires the involvement of empowered citizens, and citizen representatives who encourage accountability, exercise oversight, and check official abuses. Vigorous civil societies and strong, socially rooted, credible parliaments can be effective partners for good governance.

Through trial and error, growing pains and a series of historical events –impeachments, civil wars, etc.-- the relationship between parliament and civil society must draw on lasting interests. These partnerships:

  • Bring major segments of society into politics;
  • Build stronger linkages between citizens and those who speak for them; and
  • Create new institutions and standards capable of enforcing acceptable limits for the uses of wealth and power.

In this Unit we consider how parliament’s role in the anticorruption movement can be maximized through strong partnerships and social action coalitions with mobilized citizens. Thus, this unit focuses on the representation functions of parliamentarians through their interactions with social action coalitions.

 

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