Political Corruption (L2046)
Political Corruption
Module L2046
Module details for 2025/26.
30 credits
FHEQ Level 6
Module Outline
"Corruption", in the words of the World Bank "is the single greatest obstacle to global economic and social development. It distorts the rule of law and weakens the institutional foundation on which economic growth depends". For this, and other reasons, corruption now occupies a central place as an issue of public concern across the democratic world.
Yet, the problem of corruption in all its different guises is not a new one. For as long as humans have conferred authority on rulers there has always been the threat that those rulers will use that authority for personal, rather than public, advantage. Despite the longstanding and intimate connection between politics and corruption, analysis of the "dark side" remains relatively under-studied.
The objective of this special option is to shed some light on this "dark-side" by developing analytical and theoretical tools that will allow us to analyse corruption across both time and space. We will begin by analysing exactly what we understand by 'corrupt' behaviour and how this appears to differ (often quite starkly) across national boundaries. Do humans appear to be naturally corrupt? If so, does this matter? Is corrupt behaviour absolute and universal or does it depend on location and context? Indeed, can corruption sometimes even be a good thing?
Armed with the analytical tools aimed at unpacking the complex phenomenon of political corruption, we will examine specific examples of corruption across the developed world, ranging from systematic abuses of power by parties and politicians to small-scale, almost trivial, petty misdemeanours. This analysis then provides a foundation for examining what reforms might contribute to lessening instances of political corruption in the western world.
Module learning outcomes
Identify a topic suitable for research relating to political corruption
Plan and carry out a research project relating to political corruption which sustains a line of argument
Locate and evaluate a range of resources appropriate to a topic on political corruption
Make use of constructive feedback on the development of their ideas in the implementation of a research topic related to political corruption
| Type | Timing | Weighting |
|---|---|---|
| Dissertation (8000 words) | Semester 2 Assessment Week 1 Tue 16:00 | 100.00% |
Timing
Submission deadlines may vary for different types of assignment/groups of students.
Weighting
Coursework components (if listed) total 100% of the overall coursework weighting value.
| Term | Method | Duration | Week pattern |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring Semester | Lecture | 1 hour | 11111111111 |
| Spring Semester | Seminar | 2 hours | 11111111111 |
How to read the week pattern
The numbers indicate the weeks of the term and how many events take place each week.
Dr Hannah Richter
Assess convenor
/profiles/341320
Prof Dan Hough
Assess convenor, Convenor
/profiles/157318
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