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Games of Truth in the Age of Transparency: International Organisations and the Construction of Corruption

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  • Roan Alexander Snyman

    (University of Stellenbosch)

Abstract

Corruption is one of the most intractable problems that the world is faced with and its reported impact is widespread and pervasive. Since the mid-1990s, international efforts to combat this problem expanded significantly, driven by the involvement governments, international financial institutions and non-governmental organisations. The objective of this article is to use Michel Foucault’s work in a critical analysis of the international fight against corruption. This analysis is centred on Foucault’s concept of governmentality, as well as his notions of knowledge, power and ethics. The primary focus is on the role played by the World Bank, the International Monetary Fund and Transparency International in the proliferation of international anti-corruption discourse and practices. Furthermore, South Africa will be used as a case study to unpack the historical and contextual factors that play a role in the legitimisation of corruption. As will be shown in this assessment, without adequately understanding the local factors that stimulate corruption and the other societal characteristics that serve to compound its pervasiveness, internationally driven anti-corruption initiatives have limited scope for success. Corruption will persist where there is a lack of resonance between international anti-corruption ideals and local norms, values and ideologies.

Suggested Citation

  • Roan Alexander Snyman, 2022. "Games of Truth in the Age of Transparency: International Organisations and the Construction of Corruption," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 181(1), pages 83-96, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:kap:jbuset:v:181:y:2022:i:1:d:10.1007_s10551-021-04922-0
    DOI: 10.1007/s10551-021-04922-0
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

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    2. Jason A. Hubbart, 2023. "Harmonizing Science and Society: A Change Management Approach to Align Scientific Endeavors with Societal Needs," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(21), pages 1-13, October.
    3. Debmalya Mukherjee & Saumyaranjan Sahoo & Satish Kumar, 2023. "Two Decades of International Business and International Management Scholarship on Africa: A Review and Future Directions," Management International Review, Springer, vol. 63(6), pages 863-909, December.

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