Click Here To Purchase From Amazon Bribery and Extortion: Undermining Business, Governments and Security

Author: Alexandra Addison Wrage

ISBN: 13: 978-0-275-99649-9:10:0-275-99649-2

According to Alexandra Addison Wrage, author of Bribery and Extortion: Undermining Business, Governments and Security, there exists several good academic studies on the history and economic theory of bribery and some even measure its impacts, however, reports on the current practice of bribery are non-existent. Consequently, with this informative and ambitious treatise, Wrage sets out to provide businesspeople, employees of nongovernmental organizations, editorial writers, government officials, undergraduates, journalists, with a source they can turn to in understanding the mechanics of bribery and its ramifications.

Wrage is very well qualified when it comes to understanding bribery as she is the founder, President and Chair of TRACE International. This is a non-profit membership association that specializes in anti-bribery due diligence reviews and compliance training for international commercial intermediaries such as sales agents and representatives, consultants, distributors and suppliers. These intermediaries are “pre-vetted” partners for multinational corporations who are desirous of carrying on business with entities that share their commitment to transparent and ethical business practices. In addition, Wrage is also an international regulatory attorney working on all aspects of regulatory matters as compliance with the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act and the OECD Convention on Combating Bribery, as adopted by member states.

Bribery and Extortion: Undermining Business, Governments and Security focuses mainly on exploring the public sector (government) bribery, although there are some sections devoted to the private sector. As mentioned in the Preface, the objective of the book is to show that bribery is not victimless or an acceptable white collar crime. It must be harshly dealt with and penalties must be meted out to the perpetrators.

Wrage explores the dimensions of bribery, the high cost of small bribes, so called gifts, favors and hospitality, undermining confidence in government, distorting business, international embarrassment, preying on the public, and governments that are now taking some kind of action. The conclusion sets out several responses that governments should pursue in combating bribery. Sprinkled throughout are anecdotes that were recounted personally to Wrage and many others were reported in the media. What is quite noteworthy, as Wrage mentions, “for whatever reason, people passed on their experiences and their behavior has made one thing clear-the days of openly bragging about illicit deals are over.”

The first three chapters focus on the wrongdoing of government officials and from the onset it is made very clear that bribery has far reaching ramifications. It is very rarely simply an isolated solicitation in exchange for influence, services or goods. Generally, bribery gives rise to additional crimes in order to permit the bribe taker to cover up his or her illicit actions and their new found wealth. Consequently, records are falsified and secret bank accounts are opened so as to keep their money safe and accessible. This is very prevalent among government officials in third world countries and even elsewhere and if you toss in cronyism, nepotism, patronage, favors and opportunities bestowed on friends, family, and supporters without qualifications, you have the whole enchilada with all of the trimmings. Unfortunately, the people whom the government officials are supposed to represent are being shafted and the corrupt procurement system is no longer functioning for its intended purpose.

As for gifts, favors and hospitality, Wrage points out that these very often difficult to differentiate from an outright bribe. As mentioned, a gift, as opposed to a bribe, is generally thought to be a benefit that imposes no obligation of the recipient. However, sometimes the donor gets carried away and uses his or her imagination in the most creative way. An example is the giving of moon cakes to celebrate the Lunar Year to government officials where they were filled with gold bars.

Considerable ink is devoted to the obligations of government officials to deliver honest services that are unbiased, free of deceit, undue influence, conflict of interest and self-enrichment. In other words, there is nothing that should interfere with his or her professional duties, and particularly not in schemes that are aimed at self-enrichment. However, unfortunately such is not the case where you have officials on the take for medical services, siphoning off resources and delivering insecurity, selling out the military, undermining the effectiveness of programs designed to protect environment resources, dipping into public resources, undermining democracy and skewing elections, and anything else where position and power can demand bribes.

One of the more interesting chapters explores international embarrassment and in particular the United Nations Oil-for-Food Program where Saddam Hussein and his cronies were able to earn millions of dollars right under the noses of the UN officials, which by the way with it own corruptness and inefficiency, turned a blind eye. Other examples of international embarrassment are the Olympics and the hanky panky that goes on with the awarding of the Olympics and even the bribing of the judges pertaining to various events.

Wrage concludes that there is modest optimism as well as indications that it is possible to limit or suppress bribery and even in some instances eradicate it.

It may be very easy to assert that bribery is the product of human nature which cannot ever be changed, or that bribery is a result of greed and greed will never be satisfied. However, this would be giving up too easily if we accept out of hand that the status quo is immutable. Remember, it wasn’t too long ago where slavery was acceptable in the USA or where piracy was a way of life on the high seas however today they have now been delegitimized and are now considered crimes against humanity.

Bribery and Extortion: Undermining Business, Governments and Security is a timely book that although only touches the tip of the sleeze pertaining to bribery, is nevertheless an excellent starting point in understanding the magnitude of the problem. Moreover, Wrage’ material on bribery is scathing, filled with concise research and powerfully presented that intelligently explores this pressing global concern.

The above review of the ARC copy was contributed by: Publisher & Editor of Bookpleasures.com, Norm Goldman, B.A. LL.L, Retired Title Attorney: Norm is also a travel writer and together with his artist wife, Lily, the couple meld Norm's words with Lily's art. To check out their travel site click on Sketchandtravel.com   Click here to view Norm’s Reviews & Interviews.

Click Here To Purchase From Amazon Bribery and Extortion: Undermining Business, Governments and Security