Professor Robert Klitgaard with President Benigno Aquino

Claremont Graduate University Professor Robert Klitgaard has been tapped to serve as an anti-corruption adviser to the president of the Philippines.

President Benigno Aquino introduced Klitgaard to the country during a high profile cabinet meeting on anti-corruption strategies at Malacañang Palace in Manila in late February. The professor is playing a key role in helping Aquino deliver on his promises to bring sunshine and accountability to one of the most corrupt countries in the world.

“Dr. Klitgaard has famously said that corruption equals monopoly of power, plus official discretion, minus accountability,” the chief executive told his cabinet, according to published news reports. “Accountability is the people’s domain. This is why the plan aims not just to bring daylight into every nook and cranny in government, but also to open halls of power to the people.”

The Philippines ranks 129 out of 182 countries in Transparency International’s Corruption Perceptions Index. Aquino swept to power last year on a vow to reduce poverty by ending the systemic theft, fraud, and bribery that have crippled his country. One of his first moves upon taking office was to enlist Klitgaard’s counsel.

Klitgaard is widely considered to be one of the world’s leading experts on corruption, and he regularly gives presentations and advises government officials across the globe. He’s worked with more than 20 governments to date, most recently Colombia, the Czech Republic, Indonesia, and Malaysia.

He argues that systemic corruption fosters distrust, anger, political instability, and poverty. Economies cannot flourish when investors are unable to rely on the integrity of basic institutions like courts and banks. Broken tax bureaus mean no revenue for infrastructure. Crooked health and school systems deprive sick people their medicine and school children their textbooks.

Through his research and experience, he’s devised clear actions countries and cities can take to diagnose the causes of corruption and implement strategies and solutions. His methods have recently been spread by the Partners for Local Government Foundation to 20 cities in 11 countries in Eastern Europe.

Klitgaard, who has advised Filipino officials since August 2010, noted that the country’s challenges stem from deeply rooted systems of patronage, where powerful families have historically taken advantage of weak political parties and a strongly decentralized government.

The Aquino administration, however, appears committed to changing the old ways, he said.

“I’m impressed and optimistic about what they can accomplish,” Klitgaard said. “There is tremendous potential, and we can already see progress.”

During his most recent visit, Klitgaard led a six-hour cabinet meeting and a series of half-day workshops with non-governmental organizations, with business leaders, with local government officials, and with donors. He also spent an evening with leaders in the press and media.

The Philippines case and lessons from other governments he’s worked with serve as material for Klitgaard’s teaching at CGU. 

This semester he’s teaching a new course in the School of Politics and Economics, “Public Sector Reform in Developing Countries.”  The class is taught jointly with the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy at the National University of Singapore. Klitgaard and his students connect live via video with professors and students in Singapore for class sessions.

In addition to his teaching and consulting, Klitgaard serves on the World Economic Forum’s Global Agenda Council.