Corruption: A Comparative Analysis of Corruption in Russia and Finland ons/factbook/geos/rs.html ons/factbook/geos/rs.html

Where does corruption occur in the world? n Developing countries n Modern, developed countries? –Germany –France –United Kingdom –United States n See Transparency International CPI rankings: 1.html 1.html 1.html

FINLAND: A Model Country n Ranked #1 by Transparency International n How did Finland achieve such success?

Transparency and Openness of Finnish Society n Constitution provides for free access to information n Media is considered the guarantor of transparency n Effect: Effective, close and immediate scrutiny of the actions and omissions of all public authorities which creates a powerful deterrent to corruption.

Effective Justice System n Criminal Code: corruption is criminalized in a very detailed and comprehensive manner n Police and Prosecutors: well organized and equipped to deal with corruption cases –Pro-Active Approach to detecting corruption n Statutory Audit of Private Companies and Entities

Public Perception n High Moral Standard of Finnish Civil Servants n General Public Confidence in the Finnish System

RUSSIA: “The fish rots from the head.” n Ranked #79 out of 91 n How did Russia reach such futility?

Opaque Russian Society n Public is Denied Access to Public Information n Investigative Journalists are being threatened and killed

Lack of Political Will to Fight Corruption n Lack of uniform commitment n Complacency in government n Disillusioned Citizenry

Ineffective Legal/Judicial System n Inadequate Criminal Code n No Independent Judiciary n Banking Sector n Problems with Privatization

Costs and Consequences of a Corrupt Society n Poor pay the greatest price n Diversion of substantial resources from the public good.

Possible Solutions: n Greater Transparency n Legislative Change backed by determined investigation and prosecution n Independent Judiciary n Greater international pressure and demand for change