The conception of corruption and its forms in public administration of Lithuania

Abstract

The complication of corruption could be proved by existing different concepts of this social phenomenon in local and international laws. By describing corruption as regular, recurrent, integral criminal offence committed by person either under public service having a contact with private subject, electors, mass media by abusing of authority or confidence due to personal gain, the narrow concept of corruption is established in Lithuanian laws. Notwithstanding, the concept of corruption has to be expanded and concretized in order to fight against all forms of corruption not only in public but also in private sector. Only a precise and uniform definition of corruption could be easily applied in legislation, practice of public administration bodies, the society would understand it better and, finally, it would facilitate the application of anti-corruption laws. The crimes related with corruption could be committed not only having direct relation with abusing of possessed power or competence, but also by influencing the other to commit illicit activity in the public service. Occupied position in the public service, its nature and importance usually has direct impact to the nature of consequences and degree of malfeasance. What is more, not only general requirements for public service established in laws, but also special requirements established in the other legal acts, such as statutes of services, work descriptions are violated by committing crimes against public service. Anti-corruption policy should be developed and implemented by joint efforts of all institutions which take part in the management of corruption by exactly defining the responsibilities, functions and constantly evaluating achievements of each of them.