Emerging theory for effective anti-corruption reform in South Africa

Developing country theorists claim that strategies should focus on human behaviour and economic incentives, not legal measures.

26 AUG 2024  

To remedy systemic corruption in South Africa, policymakers must look beyond the discourse of transparency and accountability to emerging anti-corruption theory. Policy research in this field should be multi-disciplinary, grounded in empirical research and informed by decolonial thought. There is a need for more research into the unique types and drivers of corruption at national, local and sector-specific levels, to inform policy reform.

 

About the author


Colette Ashton is an attorney who has worked in various roles in civil society in South Africa. She holds a cum laude Master’s degree in anti-corruption skills from the UN-founded International Anti-Corruption Academy in Vienna. She is a Southern African expert on non-trial resolutions for corruption cases and works towards finding other feasible anti-corruption policy reform initiatives.

 

Image: Getty Images/Allan Swart

This policy brief is funded by the UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office. The ISS is also grateful for support from the members of the ISS Partnership Forum: the Hanns Seidel Foundation, the European Union, the Open Society Foundations and the governments of Denmark, Ireland, the Netherlands, Norway and Sweden.

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