It takes a whole society: why Hong Kong’s ICAC cannot succeed alone
Purpose – To show that establishing an anti-corruption agency (ACA), by itself, is not likely to be a successful anti-corruption strategy. Instead, a solid base of social trust, participation, and support is just as essential as creating an ACA with significant powers and resources. Design/methodolo...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Emerald Publishing
2022-08-01
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| Series: | Public Administration and Policy |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.emerald.com/insight/content/doi/10.1108/PAP-05-2022-0042/full/pdf |
| _version_ | 1797787943353450496 |
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| author | Michael Johnston |
| author_facet | Michael Johnston |
| author_sort | Michael Johnston |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Purpose – To show that establishing an anti-corruption agency (ACA), by itself, is not likely to be a successful anti-corruption strategy. Instead, a solid base of social trust, participation, and support is just as essential as creating an ACA with significant powers and resources. Design/methodology/approach – This is a historical review of the origins and development of the Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) of Hong Kong, and an assessment of its three-pronged approach strategy at both strategic and tactical levels. Findings – An ACA requires broad and deep social support and participation if it is to succeed. That the ICAC remains nearly unique in developing such a base of support provides important lessons for those countries with ineffective ACAs. Originality/value – A reassessment of the ICAC after a half-century shows that the Hong Kong case, despite its familiarity, has much to teach us if we understand it in its broadest implications. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-13T01:28:36Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-e3959a0129e94c0996c73178c6608d64 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1727-2645 2517-679X |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-13T01:28:36Z |
| publishDate | 2022-08-01 |
| publisher | Emerald Publishing |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Public Administration and Policy |
| spelling | doaj.art-e3959a0129e94c0996c73178c6608d642023-07-04T10:21:35ZengEmerald PublishingPublic Administration and Policy1727-26452517-679X2022-08-0125210912310.1108/PAP-05-2022-0042It takes a whole society: why Hong Kong’s ICAC cannot succeed aloneMichael Johnston0Colgate University, Hamilton, New York, USAPurpose – To show that establishing an anti-corruption agency (ACA), by itself, is not likely to be a successful anti-corruption strategy. Instead, a solid base of social trust, participation, and support is just as essential as creating an ACA with significant powers and resources. Design/methodology/approach – This is a historical review of the origins and development of the Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) of Hong Kong, and an assessment of its three-pronged approach strategy at both strategic and tactical levels. Findings – An ACA requires broad and deep social support and participation if it is to succeed. That the ICAC remains nearly unique in developing such a base of support provides important lessons for those countries with ineffective ACAs. Originality/value – A reassessment of the ICAC after a half-century shows that the Hong Kong case, despite its familiarity, has much to teach us if we understand it in its broadest implications.https://www.emerald.com/insight/content/doi/10.1108/PAP-05-2022-0042/full/pdfHong KongICACCorruptionChinese traditionsCivil societyGuanxi |
| spellingShingle | Michael Johnston It takes a whole society: why Hong Kong’s ICAC cannot succeed alone Public Administration and Policy Hong Kong ICAC Corruption Chinese traditions Civil society Guanxi |
| title | It takes a whole society: why Hong Kong’s ICAC cannot succeed alone |
| title_full | It takes a whole society: why Hong Kong’s ICAC cannot succeed alone |
| title_fullStr | It takes a whole society: why Hong Kong’s ICAC cannot succeed alone |
| title_full_unstemmed | It takes a whole society: why Hong Kong’s ICAC cannot succeed alone |
| title_short | It takes a whole society: why Hong Kong’s ICAC cannot succeed alone |
| title_sort | it takes a whole society why hong kong s icac cannot succeed alone |
| topic | Hong Kong ICAC Corruption Chinese traditions Civil society Guanxi |
| url | https://www.emerald.com/insight/content/doi/10.1108/PAP-05-2022-0042/full/pdf |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT michaeljohnston ittakesawholesocietywhyhongkongsicaccannotsucceedalone |