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Type of Document

Dissertation

Author

Leaman, James M

URN

etd-01172009-165745

Title

Religion, Spirituality, Corruption and Development: Causal Links and Relationships

Degree

Doctor of Philosophy

Program

Public and International Affairs

School

Graduate School of Public and International Affairs

Advisory Committee

Advisor Name	Title
Dr. Louis A. Picard, PhD, Professor	Committee Chair
Dr. Nuno D.S. Themudo, PhD, Assistant Professor	Committee Member
Dr. Paul J. Nelson, PhD, Associate Professor	Committee Member
Dr. Richard A. Yoder, PhD, Professor Emeritus	Committee Member

Keywords

governance
spiritual expression
Doing Business
World Values Survey
bribery
religious expression
causes of corruption
consequenses of corruption
GDP per capita
standards of living
poverty

Date of Defense

2008-12-10

Availability

restricted

Abstract

Public sector corruption plays an important role in a nation's development, and many low income countries (LICs) suffer chronic bureaucratic corruption. While there have been numerous studies addressing both the causes and consequences of corruption, the full range of causes remains unexplored, and consequences are becoming understood in new light with fresh data and expanded linkages. Specifically, the impact of religion and spirituality on public sector corruption had not previously been adequately researched and documented, and tracing the role of corruption on living standards through business starts data provides a novel perspective on this link. This dissertation is a macro-level, global study of public sector corruption, analyzing the impact of religion and spirituality on public sector corruption, and subsequently on living standards. Essentially this is a study of ethics in public service, reviewed through the lens of one ancient concept (religion) and an emerging new construct (spirituality). The primary conclusions and contributions of this dissertation are that: (1) religion has a direct – and moderate – causal impact on corruption, (2) spirituality has an inverse – but weak – causal impact on corruption and (3) public sector corruption has an inverse – and strong – causal impact on business starts, economic growth and living standards. All three of these primary findings have social, political, and economic policy implications.

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