Combating Corruption: Legal Approaches to Supporting Good Governance and Integrity in Africa

by John Hatchard

' This is a truly excellent wide-ranging, meticulous scholarship, very well written and easy to read. It should be on the desks of every senior civil servant, government lawyer and politician in every African country. After this book, there is no excuse for not having in place the necessary legal framework and equally important, for not using that legal framework to combat corruption. '
- Patrick McAuslan, Birkbeck University of London, UK Drawing on numerous recent examples of good and bad practice from around the continent, this insightful volume explores the legal issues involved in developing and enhancing good governance and accountability within African states, as well as addressing the need for other states worldwide to demonstrate the 'transnational political will' to support these efforts. John Hatchard considers the need for good governance, accountability and integrity in both the public and private sector. He studies how these issues are reflected in both the African Union Convention on Preventing and Combating Corruption and the United Nations Convention Against Corruption. The book demonstrates that despite the vast majority of African states being party to these conventions, in practice, many of them continue to experience problems of bad governance, corporate bribery and the looting of state assets. It explores how the 'art of persuasion' can help develop the necessary political will through which to address these challenges at both the national and transnational levels. This unique and influential book will be of worldwide interest to those studying law, politics or business, as well as legal practitioners, policymakers, senior public officials, parliamentarians, law reformers, civil society organizations and the corporate sector. Contents : Introduction 1. Setting the Law and Persuasion 2. Law and Governance in Supporting Integrity and Combating Corruption 3. Preventive Maintaining Integrity in the Public Service 4. When Things Go Addressing Integrity Problems in the Public Service 5. Constitutions, Constitutional Rights and Combating Exploring the Links 6. Investigating and Prosecuting Corruption Related Challenges and Realities 7. National Anti-corruption A Key Good Governance Requirement? 8. Independence, Integrity and Accountability 9. Combating 'Persuasion' and the Private Sector 10. Preventing the Looting of State Combating Corruption-Related Money Laundering 11. Preventing Public Officials from Enjoying their Proceeds of Corruption 12. Law, Political Will and the Art of Persuasion Bibliography Index

416 pages, Hardcover

First published November 1, 2013