The role of parliaments in curbing corruption at the country level
This project investigated how national parliaments contribute to curbing corruption, challenging the ‘one-size-fits-all' approach to strong parliamentary oversight. Through seven in-depth case studies and cross-country analysis, the research developed practical policy guidance to enhance parliamentary oversight in ways tailored to different political and institutional contexts.
Parliamentary oversight is widely acknowledged as a vital mechanism for reducing corruption, but most research to date has focused on global comparisons, often overlooking country-specific dynamics. This project addressed that gap by examining how oversight functions in seven countries: Ghana, Grenada, Myanmar, Nigeria, Tanzania, Trinidad & Tobago, and Uganda.
Project Summary
Using a mixed-methods approach, the team conducted over 300 interviews and focus groups with MPs, parliamentary staff, civil society, journalists, and other actors. They analysed how oversight tools—such as audit institutions, anti-corruption agencies, question periods, and budget review—operate within diverse political systems.
The findings informed tailored policy advice for parliaments and donor agencies, strengthening links between parliamentary capacity and national anti-corruption strategies.
Key Findings
- No ‘one-size-fits-all’: Effective oversight varies by country context, including political system, party dynamics, and levels of trust in parliament.
- Cross-institutional collaboration is key: Parliaments cannot fight corruption alone—strong links with civil society, media, and audit institutions are essential.
- Oversight tools vary in effectiveness: Some mechanisms (e.g. audit reviews) had consistent impact, while others depended on local political will and resources.
Impact Highlights
- Informed the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association’s Benchmarks for Democratic Legislatures.
- Contributed to the UNDP–IPU Global Parliamentary Report on Oversight.
- Integrated into professional development programmes at Laval and McGill Universities.
- Promoted via pro bono support to DFID teams for designing oversight-related programmes.
Methodology
The project used a mixed-methods, explanatory sequential design. It combined large-scale quantitative analysis of global oversight trends with in-depth fieldwork in seven countries, triangulating findings through key informant interviews, surveys, and focus groups.
A structured interview tool covered oversight mechanisms, partisan politics, support structures (e.g. research staff), and relationships with other accountability actors.
Publications
Power of the Purse: An Index of Parliamentary Oversight
Over the past decade, scholars and practitioners have constructed various indices of general, or specific legislative power, including Fish and Kroenig (2009), the Parliamentary Centre (2011) and Chernykh, Doyle, and Power (2017). In particular, Wehner (2006) developed a comparative framework…
Parliamentary Oversight of Extractive Industries
Africa has experienced a boom in extractive industries since the beginning of this century. Extractive companies often are exposed not just to government patronage, but also to requests co consider local third-party agents, vendors or applications for employment. But is…
Parliamentary Oversight and Corruption in Uganda
By measuring perceptions by significant players in Uganda's legislative arena, new research set out to determine how successfully Uganda's parliament is fulfilling its oversight function. Legislative oversight tools, potential, will, and a combination of external and internal factors for oversight…
Parliamentary Oversight and Corruption in Myanmar
In Myanmar, the Pyidaungsu Hluttaw (Assembly of the Union) is charged with the oversight of existing anti-corruption provisions. In this report, therefore, the effectiveness of the Hluttaw in its oversight capacity is examined. This report is divided into three sections:…
Commonwealth and Comparative Politics: Parliamentary Oversight and Corruption in the Caribbean: Trinidad and Tobago and Granada Compared
Parliamentary oversight is a key determinant of corruption levels. This article presents research findings on parliamentary oversight in two Caribbean countries: Trinidad & Tobago and Grenada. The results cast doubt on the results of previous research and also indicate that…
Policy Brief: Parliamentary Oversight and Corruption in Tanzania
Policy Brief presenting key Issues and lessons learned about Parliamentary oversight and corruption in Tanzania. Using in-country, interviewer-led interviews and self-administered questionnaires with 49 respondents (13 MPs, 10 Parliamentary Staff, 11 Civil Society Organization (CSO) representatives, eight staff of the…
Parliamentary Oversight and Corruption in Ghana
This report demonstrates that while the existence of legislative oversight tools matters in that such tools improve the quality of governance and the legitimacy of the political system, their impact is conditional and it depends on the presence of contextual…
Parliamentary Oversight and Corruption in Nigeria
Legislative oversight in any democracy is essential to limiting the exercise of power and ensuring the accountability of government. In Nigeria, the National Assembly (NASS) is charged with oversight of the anti-corruption framework. This paper comprises three sections: (i) contextual…
Research Team Members
Rick Stapenhurst
Louis Imbeau
Anthony Staddon
Rasheed Draman