The Role of E-governance in curbing public-sector corruptions (A Theoretical Overview)

Abstract

A corruption free society is a prerequisite for the development and good governance. Mostly, corruption is seen to impede the development process of the third world countries. Nevertheless, there are numerous efforts taken to prevent corruption in the public sector of those countries. One of the main strategies used to curb the institutionalized corruption in the public sector today is that use of e-governance, a byproduct of ICT, which is as an efficient and effective strategy. According to Robert Klitgaard’s (1988) definition on corruption, i.e., Corruption = Monopoly + Discretion – Accountability. When the monopoly and the discretion power of the public sector officials increase in decision making and implementation, it leads to decrease the accountability of public sector officials and it tends to increase corrupt practices. So, this study aimed at identifying how e-governance may play a role to diminish the monopoly and the discretion power of the public sector officials and thereby curbing the institutionalized corruption in the public sector. When it observes the strength of the e-governance as a strategy some of the examples were drawn from the Sri Lankan context. The study is totally based on secondary data. Books, articles, statistical records, relevant reports and websites were used as the sources of data. Largely a descriptive analysis method was used in the analysis of data. The study reveals that the use of ICT enhances the transparency and accountability of the public sector activities largely and by being more accountable to the duties; goods and services are efficiently being provided to the people.