THE CORRUPTION PORTRAIT: A POST HOC EXPLORATION OF YOUTH PERCEPTIONS

Abstract

Despite decades of efforts to combat, corruption remains a global issue, especially among developing countries. Its ambiguity and complexity require applying context-specific approaches, considering the interplay of different factors. This study explores the correlation between culture, youth and corruption. Specifically, it reflects on the effectiveness of anti-corruption efforts conducted during the last decades, by establishing a portrait of corruption perception among the younger generation.

The study offers an approach focused on middle ground sampling – youth generation – avoiding overgeneralized and field-specific perspectives on corruption perception. In addition, the analysis considers the moral and cultural perspectives of corruption. The generational approach reflects developmental studies, specifically demonstrating the absence of rupture between older and younger generations. This methodological design could serve as a relevant set of studies to other nations as well, interested in promoting effective strategies for tackling corruption.

The qualitative and quantitative data collected over the twelve months in Almaty – Kazakhstan's cultural capital – demonstrates that youth normalize and accommodate corruption, portraying it as an integral part of independent Kazakhstan. The qualitative data has helped to shape the portrait of corruption, making inferences from perspectives of Almaty youth, real-world court cases and spatial analysis of the anti-corruption agency office. The quantitative data has helped to measure corruption tolerance level, establishing the broader youth perspective. Thus, a post hoc reflection on the state's efforts to establish a society intolerant to corruption demonstrates the ineffectiveness of the measures, showing they have a space for further improvement.