Corruption protection: fractionalization and the corruption of anti-corruption efforts in Iraq after 2003

This paper argues that corruption protection arises because a central feature of Iraq’s institutional environment is its factionalised political system between groups (i.e. sectarian affiliation), and these groups both protect their members from corruption charges launched by other groups, and collude to protect each other from prosecution of corruption. The paper defines corruption protection as ‘action carried out to prevent perpetrators of corruption from being brought to justice’, which is a systematic attempt among corrupt agents seeking to evade accountability for primary corruption activity. The paper has identified two contrasting paths taken by these groups in power in the dynamics of corruption protection: (a) The competitive mode is illustrated by spurious allegations of corruption made by some groups against other groups. Tension between factions results in fake charges being brought against rivals which sometimes lead to wrongful imprisonment of the innocent; (b) collusive between intra-factional groups, corruptly conspiring to hide each other’s corrupt acts thereby constructing a shield which protects the entire elite in Iraq, an issue which I label ‘solidarity in corruption’. The paper will conclude that despite the apparent strength of anti-corruption framework, the reality tells us a very different story; the multiple institutions established to fight corruption and the system of accountability can also constitute a means for corruption protection.     

邓小平“人民为本”价值观——新时期统一战线的理论基础

邓小平的价值观是"人民为本"价值观.这一价值观与唯物史观相统一,具有鲜明的时代特色,是对马克思主义价值观的继承和发展.邓小平"人民为本"价值观是我党新时期各项工作的理论基础,也是新时期统战工作的理论基础.     

Allele sharing in first-degree and unrelated pairs of individuals in the Ge F I AmpFlSTR Profiler Plus database

Eleven Italian forensic laboratories participated in a population study based on the AB Profiler Plus loci with proficiency testing. The validated database, including 1340 individuals, is available on-line. Tests for Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium, gametic unbalance, and heterogeneity of gene frequency were generally not significant. Gene frequencies at each locus were consistent with those of two previously published Italian studies, but different from a third. Individuals of each subsample were paired, and the total number of alleles shared across the nine loci was determined in each pair. The analysis was replicated over the total sample. In addition, two samples of mother-child pairs (N=315) and full-sib pairs (N=91) were subjected to allele sharing analysis. The resulting distributions were sufficiently distinct from the sample of unrelated pairs as to be of practical usefulness.     

B. reviews and notes: bibliographies and works of reference

WORLD SURVEY OF ISLAMIC MANUSCRIPTS. General editor: GEOFFREY ROPER. Volumes One and Two. London, Al‐Furqan Islamic Heritage Foundation, 1992–1993. 2 vols. Distributed by E.J. Brill, Leiden. Hfl. 250.‐ each vol.

MIDDLE EAST BIBLIOGRAPHY. By SANFORD R. SILVERBURG. (Scarecrow area bibliographies, no. 1.) Metuchen & London, Scarecrow Press, 1992. xxxi, 564 pp. US$69.50.

REPERTORIO BIBLIOGRÁFICO DE DERECHO ISLÁMICO (R.B.D.I.), Primera parte. By MARIA JESÚS CARNICERO, MARIBEL FIERRO, SUSANA PENA, DELFINA SERRANO, AMALIA ZOMENO‐ Madrid: Instituto de Coop‐eración con el Mundo Arabe, 1993. (Cuadernos de la Biblioteca Islámico ‘Félix María Pareja’, 55.) ix, 98pp.

THE JEWS IN IZMIR IN THE 19TH CENTURY: OTTOMAN DOCUMENTS FROM THE SHAR'I COURT. (YEHUDEY IZMIR BA‐ME'A HA‐TE?A’ ‘ESRE: TE'UDOT TURKIYYOT MIBBET HA‐DIN HA‐?AR'I). Edited by HAIM GER‐BER and JACOB BARNAI. Jerusalem, Misgav Yerushalayim, Institute for Research on the Sephardi and Oriental Jewish Heritage. 1984. vi, 114 pp.

WOMEN IN THE MUSLIM WORLD: A BIBLIOGRAPHY OF BOOKS AND ARTICLES PRIMARILY IN THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE. By HERBERT L. BOD‐MAN. Providence, Association for Middle East Women's Studies, 1991. v, 162pp. US$10.‐

NILE NOTES OF A HOWADJI: A BIBLIOGRAPHY OF TRAVELERS’ TALES FROM EGYPT, FROM THE EARLIEST TIME TO 1918. By MARTIN R. KALFATOVIC. Metuchen & London, Scarecrow Press, 1992. xxxvi, 427 pp. US$49.50.

THE WATERS OF THE NILE: AN ANNOTATED BIBLIOGRAPHY. By ROBERT O.COLLINS. London, Hans Zell, 1991. 315pp. £48.‐

DICTIONARY OF MANAGEMENT TERMS: ENGLISH‐FRENCH‐ARABIC. Compiled by JAMES COVENEY & SHEILA J. MOORE; Arabic terms edited by WAGDI RIZK GHALI & HANI G. TABRI. Beirut, Librairie du Liban, 1990. x, 109pp.

WHO'S WHO IN LEBANON 1993–1994. Twelfth edition (thoroughly revised and completed). Beirut, Publitec Publications; Munich, K.G.Saur, 1993. 482pp. £95.‐     

Understanding accessibility to healthcare for elderly people in Bangladesh

Healthcare facilities for the rising number of elderly people living in rural and semi-urban areas in Bangladesh are insufficient. This article assesses the accessibility to healthcare for elderly people living in rural and semi-urban areas. Data collection was carried out using surveys, focus group discussions, and key informant interviews, and both quantitative and qualitative tools were used in analysis. Upazila hospitals, which are geographically easily accessible for elderly people in rural and semi-urban areas, have a dearth of specialist doctors to treat their chronic diseases and lack sophisticated diagnostic facilities. It is recommended that a course on gerontology be introduced in the medical curriculum to increase the number of available geriatricians, and resources allocated for sophisticated diagnostic facilities in upazila hospitals.     

Forensic Significance of Gunshot Impact Marks on Inanimate Objects: The Need for Translational Research

Wherever an impact mark is found, either on the surface or on the recovered projectile, it is important for forensic investigators to extract useful information in solving shooting-related cases. This article reviews a collection of works on examination of impact marks upon striking of projectiles on inanimate objects, emphasizing on the retrievable information from a shooting scene and their forensic significance in shooting event reconstruction. Literature suggested that impact marks on target surfaces and the degree of deformation on striking projectiles vary according to different combinations of ammunition and surface materials. It was noted that conditions in real-case scenarios further differed unpredictably in comparison with controlled studies, where forensic investigation should be treated as case-specific basis. Furthermore, the way forensic science is researched and applied operationally has to be reconsidered to reduce the gap via translational approach for more effective use of forensic evidence.     

Illegal markets and the social costs of rent-seeking

This paper argues that making goods or services illegal results in an increase in the social costs associated with rent-seeking. The increased social cost is in the form of negative externalities that result from market participants use of coercion and violence in attempts to control trade in the illegal good. Consequently, the social costs of rent-seeking will exceed the value of resources dissipated in rent-seeking competition. And, where the external costs exceed the undissipated portion of the Tullock cost, the social cost of rent-seeking is greater than the sum of Tullock and Harberger costs.