PUBLIC OPINION ON THE EFFECTIVENESS OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT ANTI-CORRUPTION MEASURES: A MULTI-CITY SURVEY ANALYSIS

Abstract

Local government corruption poses a major dilemma to local government governance, service delivery and public confidence to the developing democracies. Although there are the institutional structures of anti-corruption, its perceived efficacy by the citizens is still a critical but under researched factor of their effectiveness and legitimacy. This paper examines the perception of citizens regarding the effectiveness of local anti-corruption efforts in three large cities in Pakistan namely Karachi, Lahore and Peshawar. Using a quantitative survey design (N=900) we examine the awareness, experience and trust of the citizens about the institutional mechanism of the anti-corruption hotlines, transparency portal, ombudspersons and audit systems. This analysis shows that there is a major paradox: there is much awareness among the population about anti-corruption tools at their disposal, but perceived efficiency is low and there is a strong institutional mistrust. Regression analysis reveals that the most negative predictor of perceived effectiveness is direct experience of corruption and exposure to media coverage on cases of graft. On the other hand, personal efficacy in reporting corruption and satisfaction of the basic municipal services are found to be good moderators. The results indicate that best institutional interventions though needed cannot work without complementary bottom-up civic activities, a high-level enforcement presence, and better service delivery. The research finds that improving the transparency and legitimacy of enforcement measures is more essential to change the minds of the society than just the increase in the number of tools of anti-corruption.