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Social norms and networks
Corruption and anti-corruption efforts related to social norms and networks
Photo:
Adam Cohn
CC BY-NC-ND
Basic guide
Read our introduction to corruption and anti-corruption efforts in social norms and networks.
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Research and policy agenda
Discover what U4 and others do to advance research and reduce corruption in social norms and networks.
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Featured content
U4 Issue
Building anti-corruption resilience to combat entrenched corruption systems
Anti-corruption efforts often assume that instances of corruption found in sectors are separate and unconnected, but sometimes they can be part of corruption systems. More resilient anti-corruption efforts are needed to contest corruption systems.
1 December 2022
U4 Issue
Anti-corruption through a social norms lens
Social norms in communities, families, and organisations are key to understanding why corruption persists. Strategies to diagnose and relieve social pressures can help anti-corruption reforms succeed.
15 October 2018
U4 Issue
Reciprocity networks, service delivery, and corruption: The wantok system in Papua New Guinea
Informal systems of reciprocity help people cope with adversity, but they can also promote favouritism and corruption – learn how practitioners can navigate the dilemmas these systems present for service delivery.
2 February 2020
U4 Issue
Follow the integrity trendsetter
In some societies people come to see corruption as the norm. Programmes that bring youth into contact with integrity trendsetters can help change these attitudes, building trust in government officials.
20 February 2019
U4 Issue
Values education for public integrity
Schools and universities in various countries are teaching youth about integrity norms and values. Despite limited evidence on effectiveness, some good practices and lessons learned have emerged.
14 May 2020
From the blog
Blog
Tackling police corruption in the Brazilian Amazon is a path to addressing illegal logging and mining
New research is bringing together ideas about the ‘brokerage’ role played by law enforcement in the Amazon, and anti-corruption approaches.
18 January 2024
Natural resources and energy
Social norms and networks
Justice sector
Blog
Informality in Uganda’s illegal wildlife trade: The promise and perils of community engagement
Uganda’s rich biodiversity is threatened by the illegal wildlife trade. But efforts to tackle the trade are undermined by corruption. Sustained community engagement could make a difference.
11 January 2024
Renewable resources
Natural resources and energy
Social norms and networks
Civil society
Blog
Anti-corruption games: Learning how to face corruption challenges
Anti-corruption games provide opportunities to raise awareness and refine skills for addressing corruption-related issues. Here, we take a look at how games can be used for serious purposes, how we developed our simulation, and how you can develop your own.
23 November 2023
Anti-corruption basics
Evaluation and measurement
Corruption risk management and integrity
Development cooperation
Private sector
Civil society
Social norms and networks
Blog
Integrity based approaches: combining rewards and sanctions works best
Interventions based on encouraging positive behaviours can certainly be effective – though not in all contexts, and usually as a complement to compliance.
6 February 2023
Social norms and networks
Blog
Street-level corruption in Burundi: research reveals critical influence of social norms
Corruption in Burundi is systemic. A five-month investigation of tax collectors reveals the rationale behind behaviours at the street level.
6 October 2020
Social norms and networks
Blog
Informal systems of reciprocity, service delivery and corruption
Understanding the broader environment of accountability, how informal systems of reciprocity are structured, and how individuals respond to pressures from these networks can help guide policy choices.
27 January 2020
Public service delivery
Social norms and networks
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Latest publications
U4 Brief
Message misunderstood: Why raising awareness of corruption can backfire
Research suggests resources spent on raising awareness with anti-corruption messaging may be wasted or even do more harm than good. Anti-corruption messaging must be tested before being rolled out.
12 March 2023
Anti-corruption basics
Social norms and networks
U4 Issue
Building anti-corruption resilience to combat entrenched corruption systems
Anti-corruption efforts often assume that instances of corruption found in sectors are separate and unconnected, but sometimes they can be part of corruption systems. More resilient anti-corruption efforts are needed to contest corruption systems.
1 December 2022
Politics of anti-corruption
Social norms and networks
U4 Helpdesk Answer
The effectiveness of integrity led anti-corruption interventions
Ethical leadership, behavioural nudging and to some extent anti-corruption messaging can help to reduce corruption in certain settings.
3 November 2022
Social norms and networks
U4 Issue
Strengthening the ethics framework within aid organisations
Values based approaches can be used to help tackle implicit biases and informal norms, such as gender discrimination. They shift focus from the individual to the network in the design of anti-corruption policies, considering social factors related to corruption.
14 September 2022
Corruption risk management and integrity
Social norms and networks
U4 Issue
Values education for public integrity
Schools and universities in various countries are teaching youth about integrity norms and values. Despite limited evidence on effectiveness, some good practices and lessons learned have emerged.
14 May 2020
Education
Social norms and networks
U4 Issue
Capacity building for politicians in contexts of systemic corruption: Countering ‘wasta’ in Jordan
We need alternative strategies beyond legal and enforcement tools to address systemic corruption. Capacity building for politicians can be adapted to challenge corrupt norms and incentives.
28 July 2019
Politics of anti-corruption
Development cooperation
Social norms and networks
U4 Issue
Follow the integrity trendsetter
In some societies people come to see corruption as the norm. Programmes that bring youth into contact with integrity trendsetters can help change these attitudes, building trust in government officials.
20 February 2019
Civil society
Social norms and networks
U4 Issue
The cognitive psychology of corruption
Power, personal gain and self-control, loss aversion and risk acceptance, rationalisation, and emotion can all influence corrupt acts. Making the costs of corruption clear, and reward ethical behaviour may help reduce corruption.
3 June 2018
Social norms and networks
Anti-corruption basics
U4 Issue
Corruption and collective action
3 March 2015
Development cooperation
Civil society
Social norms and networks
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