Promise and Peril in Combating Corruption: Hong Kong's ICAC

Max J. Skidmore

The ANNALS of the American Academy of Political and Social Science, 1996, vol. 547, issue 1, 118-130

Abstract: Since its founding, Hong Kong had been troubled with corruption. Eventually, the corruption became so serious as to threaten some of the basic institutions of society. In response, the government attempted an approach different from its past efforts. It created an Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC), which immediately began to have considerable success. ICAC not only eliminated much of the corruption, but it succeeded in changing public attitudes. Although its powers are enormous, ICAC by and large has operated within the restraints set for it. Nevertheless, its existence is a potential danger. Its powers could be abused even in a society characterized by moderation and the rule of law. In a society whose leaders are less restrained, no legal changes would be required to operate ICAC as the enforcement agency of a police state. Its vast authority therefore becomes a direct, not merely an implied, threat.

Date: 1996
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:sae:anname:v:547:y:1996:i:1:p:118-130

DOI: 10.1177/0002716296547001010

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