IMPACT OF INTERNATIONAL NORMS UN Convention Against Corruption as a tool for behavioural change

International Comparators Nations comparing their economic performance is a modern phenomenon UN began using GNP per capita comparator U Penn uses Purchasing Power Parity-1970s Today a host of sophisticated comparators –Human development index –Credit rating agencies –Freedom House ranking

152Bangladesh Kyrgyzstan Laos Nepal Pakistan Cambodia Mongolia Macao Bhutan Philippines Brunei Darussalam Afghanistan Guam

Do Comparators have Impact? Technical comparators can have impact on credit rating, country status, ODA Governments pay attention to them Civil society use them in advocacy Media draw on these for news stories Does the public notice these? A major comparator is participation in international regimes through treaties

Treaties - Normative Instruments Historical evolution from functional to normative intent quickens after WWII UN Charter has both mechanisms and aspirations for world based on rule-of-law 6 human rights treaties set standards and establish (weak) means of enforcement Virtual global consensus on this process

Corruption- an International Issue Before 1990s even the word was taboo Transparency International formed TI Corruption Perception Index OECD Bribery Convention TI Bribe Payers Survey TI Global Corruption Report 2003 – UN Convention Against Corruption

UN Convention against Corruption – positive features Global convention-140 countries participate 106 signatories;Thailand,Vietnam,not Camb Covers active and passive corruption Requires criminalization of bribery etc Provides framework for freezing, seizure and return of assets and other cooperation Accepts role of civil society (Art 13)

UN Convention against Corruption – negative features Mandatory principles, weak enforcement Some provisions subject to local laws Weak on private sector corruption Technical assistance is unfunded Oversight mechanism left to Conference of State Parties (after 30 ratifications) in 2006 Requires consciousness raising strategy

Tentative Conclusions Corruption now a major international issue Cambodia is judged on how it tackles it Participating in UN treaty is key aspect Judgment will have economic consequences –For investment –For development assistance –For credit rating

Will this affect Behaviour? “all politics is local” - Tip O’Neil, so… Will people take notice of Cambodia’s global rankings and demand change? Is the Cambodian govt sensitive to ratings? Do global issues impact at the local level? Is the international community’s expectation an agent for change, reform?

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