Violence, Poverty and Police Corruption
The project studies the connections between growth, development, conflict-solving, crime and police corruption.In cooperation with Christian Michelsens Institutt (CMI) Participants Odd-Helge Fjeldstad, Christian Michelsens Institutt (CMI)
Amit Shrivastava, UiB
How do development, growth, conflict solving, crime and police corruption interrelate? After decolonisation, it was long considered inappropriate to accuse regimes in the south of poor governance, let alone of corruption. This attitude has changed. In the north there is an increased need to document and legitimate development assistance to the south due to domestic demands. Globalisation with its increased openness contributes to exposing the north to some of the effects of crime, particularly as a result of corruption, violence and poverty in the south. In other words, the donating countries are facing a pressing need to scrutinise all critical aspects of development and poverty as well as security and conflict solving. Does police corruption play a central role in this connection? Researchers have claimed that increased crime and corruption follow from increased growth. Recent research has proved the contrary: Increased crime and corruption stem from i.a. low growth and financial shocks. A key hypothesis in this project is that crime, violence and corruption cause significant loss of welfare in the development of the south in general and for the poor in particular. The researchers hold that there is a close connection between crime, inequality and the level of GDP. Comparative cross-country studies have shown that a 5% increase in inequality (the GINI-coefficient) might exacerbate the crime level by up to 50%. Strong increases in violence, corruption in general and police corruption in particular are parts of this picture.
Funding
Norges forskningsråd
Publications
- Andvig, Jens Chr, Gbewopo Attila (2010). Crime, Police Corruption and Development: Evidence from Victimization Data. NUPI Working Paper: 772. 53 pages. The purpose of this paper is to explore whether some specific sets of criminal actions that have impact on the security of property and persons and the behaviourally related police corruption may have significant impact on the long run economic development.
- Andvig, Jens Chr, Tiberius Barasa (2011). Cops and Crime in Kenya: A Research Report. NUPI Working Paper: 794. 140 pages. This paper presents and analyzes most empirical research about crime and police corruption in Kenya that has been based on vicitimization statistics. It shows the wide variation in outcomes and draws implications of this for the potential use of this approach for police and crime policy.
- Andvig, Jens Chr, Amit Shrivastava
(2009). Police Corruption, Corruption and Crime: Data and Examples from the Asia-Pacific Region,
in Rajivan, Anuradha K. and Ramesh Gampat [eds.] Perspectives on Corruption and Human Development, vol 2, Advanced Research Series
.Delhi,McMillan .p. 439-499.This paper examines the links between police behaviour and a number of wider development issues. [url] - Andvig, Jens Chr (2010). State Bipolarity, Kin Organizations and Violent Collective Action. NUPI Working Paper: 779. 57 pages. The paper deals with the interaction between public sector efficiency, corruption and the outbreak of violent conflicts.
- Andvig, Jens Chr, Odd Helge Fjeldstad (2008). Crime, Poverty and Police Corruption in Non-Rich Countries. NUPI Working Paper: 738. 43 pages. The paper examines crime, poverty and police corruption in non-rich countries.
- Andvig, Jens Chr (2007). Corruption and Armed Conflicts: Some Stirring Around in the Governance Soup. NUPI Working Paper: 720. 69 pages. The paper discusses the impact of corruption on the probability of violent conflict events and traces the shifts in the composition of corrupt transactions during and in the aftermath of violent conflicts.
