Student Attitudes Toward Systemic Corruption: Teaching Ethics in the Republic of Georgia

Abstract

Systemic corruption has been a reality in the Republic of Georgia for generations, since long before the republic achieved independence from the Soviet Union in 1991. Despite the deep social, political, and economic roots of corruption in the country, students at the Georgian- American Institute of Public Administration rejected the revisionist thesis that corrupt behavior is an understandable and, on balance, acceptable facet of life in a developing country. The students clearly perceived the barriers that systemic corruption poses to Georgia's continuing struggle to build a representative democracy and a competitive market economy. Moreover, the students are pursuing their new careers as public managers in a manner that is avoiding traditionally corrupt ways of carrying out governmental duties, despite the personal short-term difficulties this behavior is likely to engender.