EVERYDAY CORRUPTION AND THE STATE: CITIZENS AND PUBLIC OFFICIALS IN AFRICA; TRANS. BY SUSAN COX

Presents an analysis of how and why corruption governs everyday life in Africa. This book constructs an analytical frame of reference around the various forms of corruption; the corruptive strategies public officials resort to; and how these forms and strategies are deeply embedded in daily administrative practices. Daily life in Africa is governed by the 'petty' corruption of public officials in services such as health, transport, or the judicial system. This remarkable study of everyday corruption in three African countries investigates the reasons for its extraordinary prevalence. The authors construct an illuminating analytical framework around the various forms of corruption, the corruptive strategies public officials resort to, and how these forms and strategies have become embedded in daily administrative practices. They investigate the roots of the system in the growing inability of weakened states in Africa to either reward their employees adequately or to deliver expected services. They conclude that corruption in Africa today is qualitatively different from other parts of the world in its pervasiveness, its legitimations, and its huge impact on the nature of the state. Daily Life In Africa Is Governed By The 'petty' Corruption Of Public Officials In Services Such As Health, Transport Or The Judicial System. This Study Of Everyday Corruption In Three African Countries Investigates The Reasons For Its Extraordinary Prevalence. The Authors Construct An Illuminating Analytical Framework Around The Various Forms Of Corruption, The Corruptive Strategies Public Officials Resort To, And How These Forms And Strategies Have Become Embedded In Daily Administrative Practices. They Investigate The Roots Of The System In The Growing Inability Of Weakened States In Africa Either To Reward Their Employees Adequately Or To Deliver Expected Services. They Conclude That Corruption In Africa Today Is Qualitatively Different From Corruption In Other Parts Of The World In Its Pervasiveness, Its Legitimations, And Its Huge Impact On The Nature Of The State.--jacket. Why Should We Study Everyday Corruption And How Should We Go About It? / G. Blundo, J.-p. Olivier De Sardan -- Corruption In Africa And The Social Sciences: A Review Of The Literature / Giorgio Blundo -- Everyday Corruption In West Africa / G. Blundo, J.-p. Olivier De Sardan -- Popular Semiology Of Corruption / G. Blundo, J.-p. Olivier De Sardan -- Corruption In The Legal System / Mahaman Tidjani Alou -- 'we Don't Eat The Papers': Corruption In Transport, Customs And The Civil Forces / Nassirou Bako Arifari -- Ordered Corruption? The Social World Of Public Procurement / Giorgio Blundo. Giorgio Blundo & Jean-pierre Olivier De Sardan ; With N. Bako Arifari & M. Tidjani Alou ; Translated By Susan Cox. Translated From The French. Includes Bibliographical References (p. [275]-290) And Index. Part I. Approach, Method, Summary -- Chapter 1. Why should we study everyday corruption and how should we go about it? / G. Blundo and J.-P. Olivier de Sardan -- Chapter 2. Corruption in Africa and the social sciences: a review of the literature / Giorgio Blundo -- Chapter 3. Everyday corruption in West Africa / G. Blundo and J.-P. Olivier de Sardan -- Chapter 4. The popular semiology of corruption / G. Blundo and J.-P. Olivier de Sardan -- Part II. Sectoral Studies -- Chapter 5. Corruption in the legal system / Mahaman Tidjani Alou -- Chapter 6. 'We don't eat the papers': corruption in transport, customs and the civil forces / Nassirou Bako Arifari -- Chapter 7. An ordered corruption? : The social world of public procurement / Giorgio Blundo -- Notes -- Bibliography -- Index Part 1: Approach, Method, Summary 1. Introduction: why should we study everyday corruption and how should we go about it? 2. Corruption in Africa and the social sciences: a review of the literature 3. Everyday corruption in West Africa 4. The popular semiology of corruption Part 2: Sectoral Studies 5. Corruption in the legal system 6. 'We don't eat the documents' - Corruption in transport, customs and the civil forces 7. Corruption and public procurements 8. Corruption in the health sector Part 3: Cross-Disciplinary Topics 9. 'An independent republic': Everyday corruption in a Senegalese development co-operation programme 10. The war against corruption in Benin, Niger and Senegal: an historical approach