Corruption Conflict Security

3 Credits · Level: Graduate, Undergraduate

This course seeks to enhance understanding of the manifold connections between corruption, conflict and security, as well as considering diverse approaches to reducing corruption. Central to this course are examinations of the serious risks to international stability and economic progress posed today by corruption in politics, the public and private business sectors - as a contributing cause of civil wars and international conflicts, human insecurity and economic dislocation. At the same time, this course will highlight recent and current research and actions by governments, business and civil society that to a greater extent than ever before are seeking to understand the challenges of corruption and to find pragmatic ways to turn the tide toward transparent and accountable government. This course will therefore cover means of understanding, preventing and responding to corruption within the broad context of conflict and security (geo-political, economic and human security). In sum, the course consists of: · An introduction to corruption across the world and its relationships to conflict, crime and security. · Consideration, discussion and case studies of corruption and poverty; corruption and business (notably natural resources, finance, defense); corruption and justice; kleptocracy and money laundering; as well as the anti-corruption roles of civil society and investigative journalism. · Discussion of existing tools to analyze corruption among different types of countries, differing political systems and economies. · Assignments that seek to explore policy options and approaches that can build on current understanding and research. · Review of how to integrate a conflict sensitive approach with traditional security responses.