Question

Why is it difficult to totally eliminate the corruption in democracy

Answer 1

Answer:

it is very difficult to total eliminate preparation in democracy because generally, corruption erodes the institutional capacity of government if procedures are disregarded, resources are siphoned off, and public offices are bought and sold. Corruption undermines the legitimacy of government and such democratic values as trust and tolerance.

Answer 2

Answer:

ADDRESS

DEMOCRACY AND CORRUPTION*

Philip B. Heymann**

Introduction

I was asked to speak about corruption and democracy. I

have a long history of concern about that relationship. In the

United States, I helped establish the Watergate Special Prosecu-

tion Force that investigated and prosecuted the wrong-doings of

the Nixon Administration.' I was our chief prosecutor during

the Carter Administration and responsible at that time for our

ABSCAM investigation' and prosecutions where, in the name of

a fictional Middle-Eastern Sheik, we offered money in exchange

for legislative services to a number of Congressmen and Sena-

tors.3 We received too many affirmative responses.4 I was most

recently the first Deputy Attorney General under President Bill

Clinton where I had to address, among other matters, the inves-

tigation of our most powerful Congressman,' the Chairman of

the House of Representatives Committee that deals with taxa-

tion, for various matters as to which he has now pled guilty.6 Be-

tween those occasions, I have worked in Guatemala and South

Africa and, to a lesser extent, Russia-all places where the sub-

ject of corruption and democracy has at times been very rele-

* This Address was originally given at the Milenio Foundation conference on

corruption in Latin America and Europe held in Bogota, Colombia on July 2-4, 1996.

** Philip B. Heymann is James Barr Ames Professor of Law, Harvard University

Law School.

1. Charles R. Babcock, Heymann of Harvard, Watergate Ex-Aide, Picked for Justice Job,

WASH. POST, Mar. 29, 1978, at A9.

2. JOHN T. NOONAN, JR., BRIBES 606-07 (1984). The U.S. Government used a ficti-

tious business, Abdul Enterprises, as a cover for a sting operation. Id. at 605. ABSCAM

is a contraction of Abdul and scam. Id.

3. Id. at 604-19.

4. See id. (describing success of ABSCAM); United States v. Myers, 635 F.2d 945,

947-48 (2d Cir. 1980) (summarizing ABSCAM operation).

5. See Toni Locy, Rostenkowski Fraud Plea Brings 17-Month Sentence; Former Ways and

Means Chief Fined $100,000, WASH. PosT, Apr. 10, 1996, at Al (describing sentencing of

Representative Dan Rostenkowski).

6. Id. On April 9, 1996, Rostenkowski pleaded guilty to two counts of mail fraud

and was sentenced to 17 months in prison and fined US$100,000. Id.

323