Corruption and Quality of Governance: The Case of Moldova

Abstract

Corruption is one of the most significant impediments for the reform and for the economic recovery of the Republic of Moldova. This has been recognized by both, the Government of Moldova, as well as international organizations collaborating with Moldova, including the World Bank, UNDP, IMF, and Transparency International. The main purpose of this study is to assess the present situation regarding state capture and administrative corruption in the Republic of Moldova and identify priority measures for making a substantive advance in combating corruption. Following an introduction, the first chapter of this report assesses the present situation regarding corruption and its consequences for the Republic of Moldova. It presents a summary of work previously done by the author, and published by the Center for Strategic Studies and Reforms. The notion of corruption on the national scene, the place of Moldova in international rankings of corruption and the assessment of consequences of corruption for the economic, social and democratic development of the country are also discussed in this chapter. The second chapter generalizes the results of the opinion poll with regard to corruption carried out among businessmen and households. It presents the structure of the questionnaire, and the main results for general questions, as well as for the specific questions for businessmen and for households. Wherever it was possible, the chapter includes comparisons with other countries in transition in the South East Europe and CIS. The third chapter includes the discussion of national attempts to fight corruption and concrete proposals to curb corruption in Moldova in the following cross-section: judiciary and legal reform, public sector reform, amelioration of state control procedures, transparency in political life, creation of a viable private sector, research of the phenomenon of corruption. The role of civil society and of international donor organizations are also examined here.