Waging War on Corruption: Inside the Movement Fighting the Abuse of Power
I was socaught in the text that I had to read every word - I would recommend it to Universities as compulsory reading in a number of disciplines and to staff in government and in multilateral organizations. The Board rooms of corporations could also benefit from its content…There is much more that can be said about what inspires the reader but for me it is that hope is better than despair since it can be the source of action, that fighting corruption and preventing it is a global and societal priority project and that its neglect will continue to wreak havoc in the stability of our world and the lives and livelihoods of the world's people.(Huguette Labelle, Chair of the Board of Direcotrs of Transparency international, former Chancellor of the University of Ottawa, former President of the Canadian International development Agency)Waging War on Corruptionprovides a much-needed retrospective, and overall assessment, concerning the contemporary anti-corruption movement. Transparency International and related groups seemingly came out of nowhere a generation ago, but Frank Vogl shows how long-term influences shaped anti-corruption agendas and strategies. Today, political events, new technology, and the movement’s own successes in shifting the global agenda are creating fresh challenges. Vogl’s book offers an essential discussion of those dynamics, and of what those concerned with justice and accountability must do in the years to come.(Michael Johnston, Charles A. Dana Professor of Political Science, Colgate University)Frank Vogl describes the global rise of awareness of the devastating effects of corruption on millions of people around the world. Through the lens of fascinating human stories, he vividly illustrates the importance of individuals standing up against corruption and making the demand for transparency and accountability in politics and public life one of the key social challenges of our time.(Cobus de Swardt, Managing Director, Transparency International)If corruption is a "crime against humanity" as Frank Vogl asserts, nothing less than the future of human civilization is at stake here. Frank's authentic account of the struggle—the challenges and the accomplishments—should inform and inspire everyone fighting "the war" against corruption today, and tomorrow.(Devendra Raj Panday, a leader of the Nepal citizens for democracy movement, former Minister of Finance)An invaluable account by one of the Founders of TI's origins and its evolving role as a global movement, sharing his rich insights gained from continued and active involvement in the movement.(Kamal Hossain, former UN Special Rapporteur on Afghanistan and current member of the UN Compensation Commission)Frank Vogl's book is an important contribution to the fight against corruption – it will especially help young people to see the film and not just the photo, and so recognize that although slow and difficult, change is possible. As the author beautifully describes it: "there is an Everest of corruption still to climb. Two decades ago we could look at the mountain from afar and dream. Today we have reached base camp. We are living the dream.(Delia Ferreira Rubio, Political scientist, Argentina;  winner of the 2011 Joe C. Baxter Award from the International Foundation for Electoral Systems)I always wished for a book like this: a book about where Transparency International came from, how we all became a part of it, what we stand for and what we all are doing to make our dreams come true. There is a big need for this story in our society - in Russia these days: because Frank Vogl's book shows that everything is possible, that civic activism has a chance to push through even the hardest of agendas, that there are heroes among us such as TI’s founders, who decided to make a difference and here we are - TI chapters now actively work all over the globe; more and more people are joining our cause; and, governments in more and more countries are putting anti-corruption at the top of their agenda. I plan to buy many copies of this book and give it to my students, to my colleagues, to people in government and in business - I will give it to all those who lost hope, who think that David of civic activism is too weak to confront the Goliath of injustice, poverty and corruption. This book proves that this is simply not true.(Elena A. Panfilova, General Director, Center for Anti-corruption Research and Initiative Transparency International - Russia)This is a fascinating and complete source book on corruption. The author, who has committed part of his life to the struggle against this human calamity, shares global stories with us about the impact of corruption; the origins of Transparency International -- the champion NGO in the anti-corruption fight; he names and shames corrupt leaders, highlights major cases; and tells us about courage. Even though fighting corruption is a huge challenge and seems like an impossible mission, Vogl presents an optimistic view of the future of what he describes as a "very long war" driven by the actions of many heroes around the world.(José Ugaz, Peruvian criminal defense attorney, professor of criminal law and former Special State Attorney for the Fujimori and Montesinos case)There are few men who can rival Frank Vogl's insight and historic knowledge of the global fight against corruption. As a journalist and World Bank staffer, he saw sleaze's terrible impact up close. He went on to co-found the mould-breaking anti-corruption organization Transparency International, and can call a host of fearless activists his friends. This book is an authoritative, wide-ranging and clear over-view of a struggle the world can no longer ignore.(Michela Wrong, Author of It's Our Turn to Eat :The story of a Kenyan Whistle Blower)Waging War on Corruptionis a provocative and timely account of the linkage of graft, government and corporate corruption and poverty in the world and what should be done about it. As a key person in the creation, leadership, and success of Transparency International, the world’s leading anti-corruption organization, Vogl is one of the most knowledgeable authorities on how to fight graft and corruption throughout the world. Whether it is corrupt local police, graft associated with the international arms trade, or the corrosive actions of political villains throughout the world, Vogl knows the topic from firsthand experience and quality data analysis. Waging War on Corruption should be read by government and corporate leaders, academics, reform activists, journalists, and citizens of the world that want to stop poverty and injustice stemming from graft and corruption.(James A. Thurber, Distinguished Professor and Director, Center for Congressional and Presidential Studies at American University)Frank Vogl presents a fascinating account of the emergence of the worldwide anti-corruption story over the last two decades. It is a long missing contribution adding the personal touch to the usual fare.(Mark Pieth, Chairman of the OECD Working Group on Bribery in International Business Transactions)Vogl (cofounder, Transparency International and Partnership for Transparency Fund), a former World Bank official and reporter for The Times of London, has the perfect background to write about the war on corruption because he has been fighting it for many years. Vogl has an engaging writing style, and reading the work is almost like sitting down and having a conversation with him about this increasingly important topic. By dividing the material into three distinct sections, Vogl is able to establish that corruption is a major world issue, chronicle current attempts at combating it, and then discuss future directions to be taken by individuals and nations. Each chapter ends with a reference page aiding additional research. This is a timely work with references to the Arab Spring and its impact on ending corruption worldwide. Several appendixes allow for comparison among nations on the corruption scale. A quick read with several anecdotes throughout, it may be too informal for academics but will attract the average undergraduate. Summing Up:Recommended. General readers, undergraduate students all levels, research faculty, and professionals.(CHOICE)