Governance and Corruption : Can Islamic Societies and the West Learn from Each Other?

This paper compares the Islamic and the Western social scientific perspectives on corruption. It is argued that the emerging shift in social scientific thought in viewing corruption from 'grease that oils the economic wheel' to a 'menace that undermines economic growth' has brought rational understanding of the phenomenon much closer to Islamic doctrine. Where they differ is with respect to remedial action. The Western approach focuses on governance and designing appropriate systems and institutions that gear information and incentives toward minimising opportunities and enticement for corruption. In short, it emphasizes constraints external to the individual. By comparison, Islam seeks to go beyond such constraints, and also instil in believers a clear 'second-order' preference for non-corrupt behaviour. It recommends developing a firm belief in transcendent accountability and stresses character building through practicing moral virtues and shunning vices. In essence, much of the restraint comes from within through a moral renovation. It is our contention that both emphases are important in eliminating corruption and that the followers of Islam and the West can learn from one another