Anti‐corruption efforts in the Caribbean: are we doing enough?
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.1108/13590790710758477 |
| Published date | 24 July 2007 |
| Date | 24 July 2007 |
| Pages | 250-263 |
| Author | Michael Hylton,Gladys Young |
| Subject Matter | Accounting & finance |
Anti-corruption efforts in the
Caribbean: are we doing enough?
Michael Hylton and Gladys Young
Government of Jamaica, Kingston, Jamaica
Abstract
Purpose – The Caribbean countries referenced in the paper are parties to the Inter-American
Convention against Corruption and to its Follow-up Mechanism (MESISIC). The convention has been
in force for more than a decade, and the follow up mechanism has just completed its first round of
review. The purpose of this paper is to provide timely and useful information as to the progress made
in reducing corruption.
Design/methodology/approach – The paper discusses some of the legislative and other measures
to combat corruption taking into account corruption perception indices. The MESISIC reports were the
primary source of information for the purposes of this paper. Reference was also made to the
corruption perception indices produced by Transparency International and the World Bank as well as
reports in the local media in each country.
Findings – It is found that the countries reviewed have taken substantial steps to combat corruption.
It is also noted, however, that there were many areas of weakness, in particular lack of enforcement. In
the circumstances, it is concluded that the countries reviewed were not doing enough to combat
corruption and that much more needed to be done.
Originality/value – The authors are not aware of any similar research or paper. This paper reviews
and presents the position in all seven countries, and should be valuable to anyone who wishes to
ascertain the steps which have been taken by these countries in relation to the fight against corruption.
Keywords Corruption, Caribbean
Paper type General review
The servants of the nation are to render their services without any taking of presents ...to form
your judgment and then abide by it is no easy task, and ‘tis a man’s surest course to give loyal
obedience to the law which commands, “Do no service for a present” (Klitgard, 1988, p. 7).
This quote from Plato’s The Laws is an indication that corruption is an age old problem
that, for centuries, people have been trying to address. Whilst some level of corruption
is bound to exist in any society, it is important for all countries, especially developing
countries to do everything in their power to combat it. As Klitgard (1988, p. 10) so aptly
states:
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The views expressed in this paper do not necessarily reflect the views of the Chambers or the
Government of Jamaica.
In this paper, the authors refer to the April 2006 conviction of the former Prime Minister of
Trinidad and Tobago on charges of failing to declare a bank account jointly held with his wife. It
should be noted that this conviction was recently overturned by the Court of Appeal of Trinidad
and Tobago on the basis that there could have been bias at the trial court level. The Court of
Appeal also ordered a new trial by a different magistrate and Mr Panday is appealing that
decision.
JFC
14,3
250
Journal of Financial Crime
Vol. 14 No. 3, 2007
pp. 250-263
qEmerald Group Publishing Limited
1359-0790
DOI 10.1108/13590790710758477
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