Routledge Corruption in Latin America

In Corruption in Latin America the reader is presented with an alternative starting point for understanding corruption in this key region. The author asserts that corruption is a stable and rational social and organizational mechanism. Seen through this lens, we can begin to understand why it persists, and how to implement strategies to control corruption effectively. Beginning with an in-depth, nuanced examination of the concept of corruption, the author establishes the theoretical basis for viewing corruption as a social construct. An analysis of the experiences of four countries in the region – Argentina, Brazil, Guatemala and Mexico – provides the reader with concrete data from which they can understand how and why these behaviors are reproduced, validated, and tolerated in everyday settings between governments and citizens, governments and firms, and firms and clients. Once we see corruption as the socially sanctioned norm for getting business done, we can begin to produce and propose effective solutions to reduce corruption in Latin America by designing and implementing instruments that transform this dynamic. This rigorous and original approach will challenge the reader’s assumptions about corruption, and will appeal to students of corporate governance, international business, public management, and business ethics. Review "Corruption in Latin America is a most needed book to understand deeply the complexity of corruption practices from their social and cultural roots. From this angle the fight against its pervasive and destructive effects in all societies might emerge." ― Gabriela Coronado Susan, University of Western Sydney, Australia "This book offers an interesting and novel approach on corruption in Latin America; exploring corruption as a socially-embedded game. This generates new insights into the sociological, cultural and organizational aspects of the phenomenon. It also includes a rich analysis of anticorruption efforts in the region, and of the reasons behind persistent meagre results. The book truly is a valuable resource for students, as well as for practitioners and policymakers that are interested in understanding corruption and imaging new solutions to old problems." ― Fernando Nieto Morales, El Colegio de México, Mexico "This is a ‘must’ for those interested in understanding corruption in Latin America. It adopts a realistic approach not only to comprehend, but also to tackle this problem our citizens face on a daily basis." ― Cristian Pliscoff, Universidad de Chile, Chile About the Author David Arellano-Gault is Professor in the Public Administration Division at the Center for Research and Teaching in Economics, Mexico. He is also Senior Editor of Organization Studies.