Corruption Practices

Corruption is a pervasive problem that affects societies and economies around the world, and the 21st century has seen a number of changes in corruption practices and the ways in which they are addressed.

Some of the key areas of change include:

• Greater international cooperation: The 21st century has seen an increase in international cooperation in the fight against corruption. This includes the creation of international conventions, such as the United Nations Convention Against Corruption (UNCAC), and the establishment of specialised agencies, such as the World Bank’s Stolen Asset Recovery Initiative (STAR).
  
• Greater use of technology: The 21st century has seen an increased use of technology in the fight against corruption. This includes the use of digital tools, such as databases, analytics and monitoring systems, to improve transparency, reduce opportunities for corruption and make it easier to detect and investigate corruption cases.
  
• Greater focus on prevention: The 21st century has seen a greater focus on prevention, rather than just punishment, in the fight against corruption. This includes efforts to create an enabling environment for preventing corruption, such as by improving governance, strengthening institutions, and promoting transparency and accountability.
  
• Greater focus on private sector corruption: The 21st century has seen a greater focus on private sector corruption, as opposed to just public sector corruption. This includes efforts to address corruption in the extractive industries, the financial sector, and other areas where the private sector is heavily involved.
  
• Greater use of civil society: The 21st century has seen an increased use of civil society in the fight against corruption. This includes the use of NGOs, media, and other groups to raise awareness of corruption, to monitor government and private sector activities, and to advocate for change.
  
• Greater focus on corruption as a human rights issue: The 21st century has seen a greater focus on corruption as a human rights issue. This includes efforts to recognise the negative impact of corruption on the enjoyment of human rights, such as the right to health, education and housing, and the need for effective measures to prevent and combat corruption.

• Greater focus on corruption in the digital era: The 21st century has seen an increase in corruption practices in the digital era, such as cybercorruption, online fraud, and money laundering. This has led to a greater focus on addressing corruption in the digital economy, and the need for specialised laws, regulations and institutions to combat it.
  
• Greater focus on corruption in the context of conflicts and fragility: The 21st century has seen a greater focus on corruption in the context of conflicts and fragility, recognising the negative impact of corruption on the ability of countries to effectively address the underlying issues that lead to instability and violence.
  
• Greater focus on the role of corporate governance in addressing corruption: The 21st century has seen an increased focus on the role of corporate governance in addressing corruption, recognising the importance of strong internal controls, effective oversight, and transparency in preventing and detecting corrupt practices.
  
• Greater focus on the role of whistle-blowers in addressing corruption: The 21st century has seen an increased focus on the role of whistle-blowers in addressing corruption, recognising the importance of protecting and incentivising individuals who report corrupt practices to come forward.

It’s important to note that the changes in corruption practices discussed above are not without their challenges and criticisms. The increased use of technology, for example, can lead to concerns about privacy and data security. Additionally, the increased focus on prevention can lead to a lack of accountability for past corruption practices. Furthermore, the increased use of civil society can lead to a lack of consistency and coordination among different actors.