Politics of Corruption and Development

Undergraduate

Corruption threatens to undermine economic development, human flourishing, global security, and trust in government. Anger over political corruption and its effects on development are reaching a boiling point across the globe, as “Gen-Z” protests oust leaders in countries as diverse as Mongolia, Madagascar, and Nepal. This course explores the politics of corruption and anti-corruption mobilization, paying special attention to the role of political institutions in enabling corruption or fostering accountability. While this course focuses primarily on the forms of corruption that impede development in low- and middle-income countries, we also consider historical and contemporary applications to corruption in rich countries, including the United States. Some questions covered include: How do we define, categorize, and measure corruption? When and how does corruption undermine—or, in some cases, facilitate—economic development and state-building? How do kleptocrats maintain power, and when do citizens mobilize against corruption, on the streets or at the ballot box? M 1:30pm-3:25pm