ABSTRACT
The resurgence of interest in corruption has been driven by economic development issues. This part introduction presents some of the key concepts discussed in the next subsequent chapters of this book. It offers a useful introduction to the past decade's research on corruption and development. It argues that while beneficial consequences of particular corrupt transactions cannot be ruled out, overall the economic effects are negative. Corruption is an effect, as well as a cause, of economic events; deeper social forces shape both. Some of these are political and institutional; others have to do with the flow of information in both licit and illicit transactions; and still others have to do with the structure and control of corruption itself, which may be centralized or decentralized, coordinated or opportunistic. The part considers the extended consequences of corruption and economic implications of corruption.
