Ultimately, citizens must be able to trust their governing institutions, and governing institutions should provide the security and services that citizens need. When corruption is rampant, there can be no trust, and security and services also suffer. Corruption tends to be endemic and most detrimental in states that are transitioning from one form of governance to another or fragile from violent conflict. And, trying to root it out too abruptly may lead to more violence and instability. Then again, if corruption is allowed to fester in those societies, strong and effective governance can be difficult to establish and social and economic development will be hindered.
With respect to the impact of corruption on peacebuilding, practitioners wrestle with making difficult choices on when and where to tolerate corruption. As countries in transition struggle with stability, the ties among corruption, governance and peaceful development have come into focus. Growing understanding of fragile states and these ties have led to some new ideas and approaches in how outsiders can or should help. These approaches span from helping to establish good governance to incorporating the power of civic involvement into their work. However, application of these ideas and approaches continue to be challenging in as many ways as there are complex conflicts and fragile states.
Certainly, peacebuilders—foreign and domestic; individuals, organizations, and governments—have very important roles to play in addressing corruption and establishing good governance in order to prevent conflict and strengthen regional and international security. We hope this study guide contributes to your deeper understanding of issues presented here as well as encourages innovation and involvement.
Notes begin on page 50.