The Business Politicians: Reflections from a Study of Political Corruption

A study of the consequences of corruption for the political class: how the careers of corrupt politicians evolve, and their capabilities, and motivations. Hypothesises on the alterations caused in democracies by corruption and defines the ideal type 'business politician' central to the system of corruption. Applies these to a number of cases in Italian local government and illustrates key attributes of the business politician: skills in illegality, networking abilities, politics as their route to upward mobility. Concludes with a discussion of the concept of moral cost, and the conditions which reduce this cost and so increase willingness to participate in corrupt dealings.