Corruption as a Violation of Fundamental Rights: Reputation Risk as a Deterrent Against the Lack of Loyalty

G. M. Racca - C. R. Yukins, Integrity and Efficiency in Sustainable Public Contracts, Bruylant, 2014.

Ius Publicum Network Review - No. 1-2014

41 Pages Posted: 4 Jul 2014 Last revised: 5 Jul 2014

See all articles by Gabriella M. Racca

Gabriella M. Racca

University of Turin - Department of Management

Roberto Cavallo Perin

University of Turin - School of Law

Date Written: January 2, 2014

Abstract

It is a commonly shared view that poor integrity undermines the main objectives of private and public activities and distracts from their main goals. The lack of integrity affects human rights and is even more unacceptable and serious when perpetrated by public authorities. This article highlights the extent to which corruption erodes the pillars of democracy and of the solidarity principle. People’s representatives are all too often captured by non-transparent economic interests and divert the pursuit of public and citizens’ interests. Illegal behavior buys the loyalty that politicians should have towards citizens, and captures the independent exercise of the sovereignty for the benefit of maintaining privileges among the corrupts. Corruption in the public procurement sector represents an emblematic case of such diversion. The oversight by unsuccesful tenderers and by civil society might be extremely useful for ensuring that the competitive selection principle is respected and that the performance is correctly executed. A new emphasis on individual responsibility, organizational design and economic incentives is needed. The corrupts betray the links of solidarity among citizens. A concrete risk of loss of reputation, either on the part of public officials or of private economic operators, could become an effective deterrent to improper conduct related to the use of public funds in public contracts.

Keywords: Corruption, Integrity, Public procurement, Fundamental rights, Social witness, Solidarity, Transparency, Accountability, Unsuccessful tenderers

JEL Classification: H57, H53, K23, K42, I38

Suggested Citation

Racca, Gabriella M. and Cavallo Perin, Roberto, Corruption as a Violation of Fundamental Rights: Reputation Risk as a Deterrent Against the Lack of Loyalty (January 2, 2014). G. M. Racca - C. R. Yukins, Integrity and Efficiency in Sustainable Public Contracts, Bruylant, 2014., Ius Publicum Network Review - No. 1-2014, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=2461594

Gabriella M. Racca (Contact Author)

University of Turin - Department of Management ( email )

C.so Unione Sovietica, 218 bis
Turin, 10100
Italy

HOME PAGE: http://www.management.unito.it/racca

Roberto Cavallo Perin

University of Turin - School of Law ( email )

Lungo Dora Siena, 100
Torino, Torino 10100
Italy

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