TY - JOUR
T1 - Corruption in unlikely places
T2 - The case of Denmark seen through Luhmann’s system theory
AU - Pedersen, Karin Hilmer
PY - 2024/10
Y1 - 2024/10
N2 - Corruption, defined as the “misuse of public position for private gain”, represents an act of deviance from official duties in the interest of self-enrichment. Denmark is ranked as one of the least corrupt countries in the world. Danish court records, however, show that corruption cases have appeared in the 21st century. Using Luhmann’s systems theory and Foucault’s method of genealogy, this article asks how this has happened. I argue that understanding corruption in Denmark may go back to changes in public administration ideas and practices since the 1990. New Public Management reform has increased the complexity in public administration where meaning horizons of communication related to different functional systems – especially the sub-systems of law and economy – clashes. I theorise and illustrate using court cases how the coexistence of different codes creates an environment for public employees that in some circumstances – however still rare – result in corruption.
AB - Corruption, defined as the “misuse of public position for private gain”, represents an act of deviance from official duties in the interest of self-enrichment. Denmark is ranked as one of the least corrupt countries in the world. Danish court records, however, show that corruption cases have appeared in the 21st century. Using Luhmann’s systems theory and Foucault’s method of genealogy, this article asks how this has happened. I argue that understanding corruption in Denmark may go back to changes in public administration ideas and practices since the 1990. New Public Management reform has increased the complexity in public administration where meaning horizons of communication related to different functional systems – especially the sub-systems of law and economy – clashes. I theorise and illustrate using court cases how the coexistence of different codes creates an environment for public employees that in some circumstances – however still rare – result in corruption.
KW - Corruption, system theory, genealogy, public administration reform, Denmark
KW - public administration reform
KW - Corruption
KW - Denmark
KW - genealogy
KW - system theory
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85206244593&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.35295/osls.iisl.1858
DO - 10.35295/osls.iisl.1858
M3 - Journal article
SN - 2079-5971
VL - 14
SP - 1272
EP - 1295
JO - Oniati Socio-Legal Series
JF - Oniati Socio-Legal Series
IS - 5
ER -