CORRUPTION, ITS CAUSES AND CONSEQUENCES IN THE REPUBLIC OF KOSOVO
CORRUPTION, ITS CAUSES AND CONSEQUENCES IN THE REPUBLIC OF KOSOVO

Summary/Abstract: Corruption is a major problem everywhere, not only in developing countries. It impedes economic growth, weakens the rule of law and undermines the legitimacy of institutions. Corruption in Kosovo has been researched from a variety of perspectives with different methodologies and policy goals in mind. The paper stresses the need to keep the issue of corruption squarely in view in the development agenda. Lack of transparency, lack of accountability and consistency, as well as institutional weaknesses such as in the legislative and judicial systems, provides fertile ground for corruption to take place. The major concern for the country with the weakest economy in Europe and the youngest population is the fact of not punishing corrupted people who belong to state and political high profile. Evident concerns are noticed also regarding the punishment of medium profile officials, which when accused minimum punishments are imposed to them. Corruption in Kosovo is manifested in many different forms, but it dominates bribe accepting and abusing official position or authority. While acknowledging that corruption is a complicated issue that likely has many root causes, is hypothesized that relatively low salaries and poor working conditions are among the chief reasons why corruption has persisted in Kosovo. The aim of the paper is to create greater awareness of the subject and to highlight the desirability to keep it in view in thinking about development issues, especially in the context of a least developed country. Some of the results that are expected to come to light through this paper are: a) raising awareness of readers about the phenomenon of corruption, b) the tendency to toughen criminal sanctions related to criminal offenses of a corrupt nature and c) Highlighting the role of civil society in combating this phenomenon.

• Details
• Contents