Political Development and Institutions: An Empirical Approach

Due to the complex nature of corruption, apart from its economic dimension, the political character should be stressed as well. The stable political system ensures the exercise of consistent policy allowing governments the implementation of long-term policies. Democracy is less susceptible to corruption as it is linked to the advancement of freedom and accountability, which, among other factors, permit institutional reinforcement and sustainability. Also, the significance of governance should be stressed regarding economic, political and social development. Based on empirical estimation, the following fundamental results emerge. Firstly, competitiveness might contribute to the combat of corruption through the elevation of reforms and structural adjustments. Moreover, the advocacy of democracy and political competition might contribute to the control of corruption. In addition, democracy might fortify competitiveness concerning the control of corruption safeguarding a stable political system for the application of reforms associated to the strengthening of structural competitiveness. Therefore, the reduced effectiveness of policies concerning the control of corruption might reveal weak political development. Regarding the sustainable prospect of anti-corruption aims emphasis should be placed on long-term factors, which are consequently critical under the sustainability prism. The aforementioned deficiencies plague political and social development, abolish political rights and suppress civil liberties. Regarding the efficient constraint of corruption, countries should not only be economically developed but robust as well in terms of social conditions and political institutions. Hence, the deep confrontation of corruption on a sustainable basis requires the unimpeded participation of citizens within context of sociopolitical consent.