ABSTRACT
Over the past decade, the fight against corruption and waste has gained prominence in the international debate on the reform of government, in both emerging and industrialised economies. In developing countries, concerns over corruption and calls for good governance impregnate the consensus on how to promote economic development, build effective states and reduce poverty. Calls for improving governance and curbing corruption are central to the global consensus on international development and permanent features in the controversies surrounding the effectiveness of foreign aid in poor countries. The successive financial crises that have hit emerging economies in recent years have highlighted the importance of responsible management of public finances, prudent fiscal policies and robust budget institutions. Repeated corruption scandals and recurrent allegations of misuse of public funds nevertheless question the efficacy of checks and balances and the robustness of oversight in public finance management. In many developing economies, the governance of the budget process is riddled with severe dysfunctions that imperil the integrity of public finances and increase the risk of corruption, ultimately undermining citizens’ trust in democracy.
