Corruption And Reform: Lessons From America's Economic History (national Bureau Of Economic Research Conference Report)
by Edward L. Glaeser /
2006 / English / PDF
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Despite recent corporate scandals, the United States is among the
world’s least corrupt nations. But in the nineteenth century, the
degree of fraud and corruption in America approached that of
today’s most corrupt developing nations, as municipal governments
and robber barons alike found new ways to steal from taxpayers
and swindle investors. In
Despite recent corporate scandals, the United States is among the
world’s least corrupt nations. But in the nineteenth century, the
degree of fraud and corruption in America approached that of
today’s most corrupt developing nations, as municipal governments
and robber barons alike found new ways to steal from taxpayers
and swindle investors. InCorruption and Reform,
Corruption and Reform,
contributors explore this shadowy period of United States history
in search of better methods to fight corruption worldwide
today.
contributors explore this shadowy period of United States history
in search of better methods to fight corruption worldwide
today.
Contributors to this volume address the measurement and
consequences of fraud and corruption and the forces that
ultimately led to their decline within the United States. They
show that various approaches to reducing corruption have met with
success, such as deregulation, particularly “free banking,” in
the 1830s. In the 1930s, corruption was kept in check when new
federal bureaucracies replaced local administrations in doling
out relief. Another deterrent to corruption was the
independent press, which kept a watchful eye over government and
business. These and other facets of American history analyzed in
this volume make it indispensable as background for anyone
interested in corruption today.
Contributors to this volume address the measurement and
consequences of fraud and corruption and the forces that
ultimately led to their decline within the United States. They
show that various approaches to reducing corruption have met with
success, such as deregulation, particularly “free banking,” in
the 1830s. In the 1930s, corruption was kept in check when new
federal bureaucracies replaced local administrations in doling
out relief. Another deterrent to corruption was the
independent press, which kept a watchful eye over government and
business. These and other facets of American history analyzed in
this volume make it indispensable as background for anyone
interested in corruption today.