Handbook of Public Administration, 3rd Edition

Chapter 6Advancing Good Government through Fighting Corruption

Milena I. Neshkova and Allan Rosenbaum

Corruption, contends Rose-Ackerman (1997), is “a symptom of something gone wrong in the management of the state.” In this sense, fighting corruption is a fundamental part of good government and a historic goal of public administration. Indeed, corruption has been a main issue in public administration since the beginning of the field. The reforms to eliminate political spoils and reduce corruption that originated from the American Progressive era have not only been diffused throughout the developed world but still guide the reform efforts of countries making the transition to democracy. For instance, the original Progressive principles of impartiality ...