Corruption is a major obstacle to economic development.
International pressure against corruption is useful, but more critical is reform of domestic institutions and a focus on the incentive problem. Abuse of power by public officials should not pay. Whenever a public office is abused, a public function or objective is set aside and compromised. Only if a public function is unproductive are policy goals unharmed by corruption. There is no evidence to support the notion that corruption in Asia, including East Asia, entails lesser consequences.