False dawn, window dressing or taking integrity to the next level? Governments using ICTs for integrity and accountability - some thoughts on an emerging research and advocacy agenda

New ICTs might be promoted as one of the answers to address a long list of institutional deficiencies that are believed to foster corruption.  This paper looks at how technology has the potential to aid the reform of political and administrative systems.

Some of the main expected benefits from ICTs as expressed in research and policy literature, include
the anticipation that they could:

• reduce information asymmetries between principal (office holder) and client (citizen) so that the latter finds it easier to assert his or her rights without corruption interfering
• limit office holders from divergeing from applicable rules in the exercise of their duties
• automate specific processes and/or reduce direct, frequent, personal interaction between a specific office holder and an individual citizen, a proximity that can foster collusion and corruption
• cut out gatekeepers and intermediaries that often act as go-betweens to facilitate bribe payments
  
• reduce red-tape in public bureaucracies and thus remove potential entry points for extortion and corrupt rent-seeking
• make transactions with public officials and the performance of the latter more transparent, document-able and audit-able thus deterring corrupt behaviour
• provide a growing repertoire of collective action tools and platforms for citizens to organise, report and mobilise against corruption

The author concludes however that there is enough evidence to be optimistic and enough evidence to be cautious, but still not enough evidence on how to best realise this potential. Analysis, advocacy and constructive engagement  stands between hope and success. So it is both essential and urgent to adopt an open yet inquisitive stance and engage constructively across disciplines and sectors to reap the digital dividend for integrity and accountability.