The structure of Kenyan society is analyzed according to how it favours corruption and how this might be broken up by the intervention of the powers of the international civil society. There is growing consensus that the underlying cause for Africa's underdevelopment is a crisis of governance (Wanyama, 2002: 2), rather than the colonial heritage. Also for Kenya a lack of good governance is seen as one of the major causes of the slow pace of human development or even its decline, as in the 1980s and 1990s (UNDP, 2003: XIII). The Kenyan Human Development Index (HDI) - a composite of the indices of education attainment, life expectancy and standard of living – rose steady between 1975 and 1990 but then started to decline. The late 70s and early 80s saw not only a reasonable provision of basic services but also a quite good economic performance. The downward trend in the 90s was due to the non-growing economy, less access to basic services, corruption and an increased vulnerability of the population (UNDP, 2003: 9). Corruption is named as the most prominent factor of the problem as it endangers the success of any economic reforms already from the roots. Also authoritarian government is a decisive co-variable increasing the risks for development, as the political context already is a major obstacle for any project (Ake, 1996). This is valid not only for economical projects but also for those aiming at improving the human rights situation and strengthening democracy. This effect became also visible in Kenya in various electoral situations. Instead of strengthening the democratic climate the ruling factions relied on stirring up tribal rivalries, bringing about more division, hostility and intolerance to their nations instead of political progress (Nyong'o, 2002). The corrupt and authoritarian rule also results in unfair distribution of the resources available inside the country as well as of those obtained from the international community. The ruling elites are mainly interested only to secure their position by bringing their followers into the state-service and also foster their private wealth. So the bureaucracy is extending tremendously and also the funds are channeled outside the countries to private accounts. Additionally many development projects are just designed to satisfy certain groups like tribes or regions, but are not really useful in the overall context of the country. [...]
Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)
- Introduction
- Theoretical Framework
- Civil Society
- Understanding Corruption
- Corruption and the justice system
- Corruption and the party-system
- Corruption in the education, health sector and other public sectors
- Corruption and globalization
- Governance
- General definition
- Governance in developing countries
- Good Governance
- Global Governance
- National responses
- Providers of global governance
- Case Study: Kenya
- Colonial times
- Ethnic divisions
- Civil society and community-based organizations
- The era of Kenyatta
- The era of Moi
- The era of Kibaki
- Summary
- Resume
Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)
This work examines the impact of corruption on Kenya's development and explores the potential role of international civil society organizations in addressing this issue. The study uses Kenya as a case study to analyze the relationship between governance, corruption, and the activities of civil society, particularly Transparency International.
- The impact of corruption on governance and development in Kenya.
- The role of civil society organizations in combating corruption.
- The influence of historical factors (colonialism, ethnic divisions) on corruption.
- The effectiveness of different governmental responses to corruption.
- The interplay between global governance and national responses to corruption.
Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)
Introduction: This chapter sets the stage by establishing the link between poor governance, corruption, and underdevelopment in Africa, specifically focusing on Kenya. It highlights the decline in Kenya's Human Development Index (HDI) in the 1990s due to economic stagnation, reduced access to basic services, and widespread corruption. It introduces the concept that authoritarian governance exacerbates the challenges to development and hinders progress in human rights and democracy. The chapter also briefly touches upon the emerging role of civil society in responding to these challenges and the strategies employed by African governments to counter the influence of civil society organizations.
Theoretical Framework: This section provides the conceptual groundwork for the study, defining key terms such as civil society (including global civil society), corruption (in relation to the justice system, party system, public sectors, and globalization), and governance (including its various forms and the roles of different actors in global governance). It establishes the theoretical lens through which the case study of Kenya will be analyzed, laying out the core concepts and definitions vital to understanding the subsequent chapters.
Case Study: Kenya: This chapter delves into a historical analysis of corruption in Kenya, spanning the colonial period to the Kibaki era. It examines the influence of ethnic divisions, the roles of different political leaders (Kenyatta, Moi, Kibaki) and their impact on governance, the development of civil society and community-based organizations (CBOs), and the evolution of responses to corruption. The chapter integrates historical context with the theoretical frameworks established earlier, offering a detailed chronological examination of Kenya's struggles with corruption and its relation to governance and civil society activism.
Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)
Corruption, Governance, Civil Society, Kenya, International Non-Governmental Organizations (INGOs), Transparency International, Development, Good Governance, Authoritarianism, Ethnic Divisions, Colonialism, Human Development Index (HDI).
Frequently Asked Questions: A Comprehensive Language Preview
What is the main topic of this text?
This text examines the impact of corruption on Kenya's development and explores the role of international civil society organizations, particularly Transparency International, in addressing this issue. It uses Kenya as a case study to analyze the relationship between governance, corruption, and civil society activities.
What are the key themes explored in this text?
The key themes include the impact of corruption on governance and development in Kenya; the role of civil society organizations in combating corruption; the influence of historical factors (colonialism, ethnic divisions) on corruption; the effectiveness of different governmental responses to corruption; and the interplay between global governance and national responses to corruption.
What is the structure of the text?
The text is structured into an Introduction, a Theoretical Framework, a Case Study focusing on Kenya, and a Conclusion (Resume). The Table of Contents provides a detailed breakdown of the subtopics within each section.
What concepts are defined in the Theoretical Framework?
The Theoretical Framework defines key concepts such as civil society (including global civil society), corruption (in its various manifestations including within the justice system, party system, public sectors, and globalization), and governance (including its various forms and the roles of different actors in global governance).
What historical periods are covered in the Kenya Case Study?
The Kenya Case Study provides a historical analysis spanning from the colonial period through the eras of Kenyatta, Moi, and Kibaki. It examines the influence of ethnic divisions and the development of civil society and community-based organizations (CBOs).
What is the role of civil society in the text?
The text emphasizes the role of civil society organizations, both domestic and international, in combating corruption in Kenya. It examines their strategies and effectiveness in influencing governance and promoting transparency.
What specific organization is highlighted in the study?
Transparency International is specifically mentioned as a key international civil society organization playing a role in addressing corruption in Kenya.
What are the key findings or arguments presented?
The text argues that corruption significantly hinders Kenya's development, and that understanding the historical context, including colonialism and ethnic divisions, is crucial for analyzing the problem effectively. The role of civil society organizations in combating corruption is highlighted as a significant factor.
What are the keywords associated with this text?
Keywords include: Corruption, Governance, Civil Society, Kenya, International Non-Governmental Organizations (INGOs), Transparency International, Development, Good Governance, Authoritarianism, Ethnic Divisions, Colonialism, Human Development Index (HDI).
What is the overall purpose of this text?
The overall purpose is to provide a comprehensive analysis of corruption's impact on Kenya's development, using a theoretical framework and a detailed case study to understand the complex interplay between governance, corruption, and civil society action.
- Arbeit zitieren
- Diplompolitologe Jürgen Schröder (Autor:in), 2009, The face of corruption in Kenya and the possible power of international civil society interference, München, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/134343
