This volume examines corruption and provides tools and that can be utilized to combat it and
encourage development. Using Romania as a case study the authors argue that corruption can be
reduced via institutional reforms and effective civic education. Describing various causes and
types of corruption the authors explore the causes and influences that result in corruption
and the current political and bureaucratic practices that inhibit social political or economic
reform. The nations of Europe including Romania have different civil traditions varying in
their intensity cultural heritage scope of activity religious or non-religious affiliation
among other factors. Western Europe has experienced over a century of modern government
involvement crowding out the efforts of traditional civil society while Romania along with
the other Eastern nations of the former Soviet bloc experienced almost a half-century of
systematic efforts by communist regimes to eradicate and control all spheres of voluntary
nongovernmental civil life. Moreover the inexperience and immaturity of Romanian society in
the early transition period after communism particularly its so-called entrepreneurial class
have discredited and abused the concept of civil society utilizing it solely for tax benefits
and selfish purposes. Having had to learn the hard way about some of the key aspects of public
administration often taken for granted in other countries more experienced in democratic
participation Romania has most recently made significant progress toward overcoming corruption
and implementing reforms and policies that will allow it to participate more fully in the
global arena.
