Includes bibliographical references and index.

This book explains what corruption is, and how to fight it. Corruption is the use of power in the public sphere for personal gain. Corruption can involve paying a bribe to facilitate a permit application, government contracts for construction or procurement, or by granting special interests influence over government or business proceedings, without cash ever changing hands. The book explores case studies of countries that have successfully managed to stem corruption, and the roles that the judicial system, auditors, ombudspersons, and the media can play in halting corruption. However, Rotberg argues, the essential ingredient to fighting corruption is a leader with the political will to tackle corruption, from whom judges, investigators, and others can take their cues. The book also explores the ways in which technology can stop corruption-moving bureaucratic processes online, for example, eliminates the possibility of being asked for a bribe. The book concludes with a thirteen-step recipe for anticorruption success.