How Advances in Information and Communication Technologies Impact Corruption?

This article discusses how the recent advances in Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) can be used to fight corruption. It draws on the current literature to argue that ICTs can be used to reduce corruption in many ways. First, ICTs can be used to promote transparency that may lead to lower corruption. Second, they can be used for providing e-government services that may reduce or even eliminate the need for a direct interaction between the officials and the citizens, reducing the scope of extorting a bribe. Third, ICTs allow for both one-way and multi-way communications. With the recent advances in ICTs, it has become very difficult for the government to clamp down on multi-way communications, which does not only promote the sharing of information but also makes it easier for the like-minded people to come together and act against corruption. Finally, ICTs prevent the use of excessive force by the government by enabling citizens to share real time information using live videos providing anticorruption protests and movements an extra layer of security. The article provides a comprehensive review of the existing literature documenting the effects of various forms of ICTs on corruption