Abstracts Category : Other

What is wrong with institutional corruption. A philosophical investigation into the moral foundation of modern institutions

by Prins Tycho

Institutional corruption is a prevalent issue in many societies. Institutional corruption can harm the solidarity that is vital to a society. However, institutional corruption is underdeveloped as a concept. The main reason is that it lacks a proper moral foundation. A clear moral foundation is necessary in order to identify and effectively address institutional corruption. In this research, I ask what the moral foundation of institutions is and how we can form a proper moral judgement about institutional functioning. To answer this question, I firstly review several concepts of corruption that are dominant in academic literature. Secondly, I discuss with institutional theory what is institutional about institutional corruption. This includes a discussion about what is institutional legitimacy. Thirdly, I discuss what is corruptive about institutional corruption. I formulate a proper moral foundation for institutional functioning in a Kantian and Habermassian tradition. Within these traditions, a proper way of judging institutional functioning from a moral perspective emerges. Finally, with the moral foundation and the method for judging institutional corruption, I present a clear concept of institutional corruption.Advisors/Committee Members: Fossen, Dr. Thomas (advisor).