The cross-impact of corruption and consumer culture
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.1108/JFC-09-2021-0195 |
| Published date | 29 October 2021 |
| Date | 29 October 2021 |
| Pages | 1155-1171 |
| Author | Vladislav Burmakin,Marianna Dudareva,Andrey Egorov,Valentina Latysheva,Svetlana Salimova |
The cross-impact of corruption
and consumer culture
Vladislav Burmakin
Department of Philosophy, Moscow Region State University (MGOU)
Moscow Region, Mytishchi, Russian Federation
Marianna Dudareva
Language Department No. 2, Peoples’Friendship University of Russia
(RUDN University), Moskva, Russian Federation
Andrey Egorov
Department of Public Law Disciplines, Academy of the FPS of Russia
(Pskov branch) Razan’, Russian Federation
Valentina Latysheva
Department of Sociology, Psychology and Social Management, Moscow Aviation
Institute (National Research University), Moskva, Russian Federation, and
Svetlana Salimova
Department of English Language for Professional Purposes,
Ogarev Mordovia State University, Saransk, Russian Federation
Abstract
Purpose –The purpose of this paper is to study the relationship between corruption and consumption
culturefrom the perspective of their mutual influence on the example of the Russian Federation.
Design/methodology/approach –The research methodology was based on theuse of theoretical,
empirical and experimental approaches aimed at studying the mutual influence of indicators of corruption
and factors thatmay be associated with it.
Findings –The performed analysis revealed that the totalnumber of crimes registered under corruption-
related articles of the Criminal Code of the RussianFederation (Article 285 –Abuse of Power, Article 290 –
Receiving a Bribe, Article 291 –GivingaBribe) is in moderate correlation with monthly consumer spending
per capita and the volumeoftaxes, fees and other obligatory paymentsto the budget.
Originality/value –The practical application of the research results is possible in formation of
recommendationsfor improving anti-corruption legislationand effective measures to prevent its causes.
Keywords Consumerism, Society, Values, Corruption, Morality, Anomie
Paper type Research paper
Marianna Dudareva has been supported by the RUDN University Strategic Academic Leadership
Program.
Funding: Marianna Dudareva has been supported by the RUDN University Strategic Academic
Leadership Program.
Conflict of interests: The authors declare that they have no conflict of interests.
Availability of data and materials:Data will be available on request.
Corruption and
consumer
culture
1155
Journalof Financial Crime
Vol.29 No. 4, 2022
pp. 1155-1171
© Emerald Publishing Limited
1359-0790
DOI 10.1108/JFC-09-2021-0195
The current issue and full text archive of this journal is available on Emerald Insight at:
https://www.emerald.com/insight/1359-0790.htm
Introduction
Global culturalchanges taking place these days promote a new way oflife focused primarily
on consumer behavior, demonstration of a successful status and positioning of a personal
brand. As a consequence, conflicts between existing and ingrained traditions arise quite
often. Our society widely regard pleasure as the highest good and even as the meaning of
life. It is the only value that is recognizedas a success, for thesake of which one can step
over any moral norms and foundations. The culture of consumption creates conditions
conducive to the formation of ethical norms that justify and rationalizeindividuals’corrupt
behavior, thereby forming a culture of corruption. For some individuals, this new culture
becomes the way of life and an incentive to satisfy their irrational passions and personal
goals. Even though corruption contributes to the growth of the popularity of the
consumption culture by strengthening its economic and politicalcomponents, it still
integrates criminally acquired capital into the social system (Egorov and Egorova, 2007).
The phenomenon of corruption is frequently based on the self-dealing of monopoly
companies in the market, as a result of which the institutional rules of the competition are
undermined. Today, such companies’influence on political institutions and social relations
is growing at an unprecedented pace, providing a functional mechanism of the “culture-
corruption cycle”supportedby new hedonistic values and foundations.
An in-depth study of the relationshipbetween corruption and cultural values in a modern
consumer society is criticalfor developing effective anti-corruption strategiesdirected at the
adaptation of modern reality to new challenges.In the current world practice, the structures
authorized to carry out the above functions are closely connected with the financial
institutions of the state. Though, to combat corruption effectively, the world needs to
strengthen the norms and values of the mass consciousness focused on a clear rejection of
corruption and understanding of all risks it brings to human life and activity. Apart from
this, it is also necessary to understand that the destruction of public consciousness and
moral and ethical spiritualvalues are among the leading corruption tools of our time.
Literature review
Political and economic concept of the modern consumer culture
In this day and age, consumerism is often referred to as a defining feature of contemporary
life (Portin, 2020). The consequence of a culture of consumption is the emergence of such a
phenomenon as “market morality.”However, the question about the moral price of the well-
being received by society through the development of markets stays debatable (Storr and
Choi, 2019).
The relationship between corruption and socio-economic factors in the developmentof a
consumer society also remainsunclear. What links corruption on the one hand and the level
of income and material well-being on the other? Are there other factors influencing
corruption? What is the role of consumerism in this? The answer to thesequestions largely
determines the possibility of developing effective measures to reduce the negative
consequences of corruptionfor social life.
Today, consumer activity plays a key role in the life of a modern person. Regardless of
the age group to which we belong, we consume various products and services to “keep
living.”Basically, thisis because market proposals are developed by different organizations
to meet the needs of various citizens categories. They can be described in many ways as
follows: basic, complex, social, personal, cultural, respect-based, religious and the like.
Meanwhile, in addition to the fact that the needs of consumers are numerous, they vary
greatly for developed and developing countries depending on time and some other
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