Corruption Lectures

Links

 * Alpha version of the lecture, delivered at Stanford, September 25, 2007. (Why do I only see 2 comments until I hit "Preview comment", and then there's 50?)
 * BoingBoing post about the Alpha version with much feedback.
 * Technorati, reactions
 * , Computer History Museum Talk, December 2008, with comments about new direction in research
 * 2010-06-22 at Campbell Law School, Raleigh, NC (posted 2010-07-09)

Lecture Summary
(to do)

From David Durant
I don't know if this is the correct place for this but I'm sure someone can move my comment if it's not.

The lecture was very impressive but I wanted to flag up what I saw as a theme - namely "follow the money". While obviously money is sometimes used in a hugely corruptive way it is not the only influence that people wield. In politics the ability of particular blocks of voters (for example black, gay or gun owners) to swing an election means that politicians often alter their actions to please a given minority group - cf. the current administrations association with right wing evangelicals. David Durant

From Han-Teng Liao, OII
As a Taiwanese, I found this presentation amazing and very relevant even to Taiwanese and Chinese context. More important for Chinese context, I would say, because their way of governance relies more on leaders in the CPP less on institutional balance-and-check, and hence more anti-corruption action but less reform.

However, it might be more helpful in emphasizing more the pressure groups have also exploits their dominance in US internal policy to form an international agenda, and less the parts in Democrats vs Republicans. For one thing, such modification could make this more attractive to sympathetic Republicans. For another, it would demonstrate the reflective thinking of the US's role in international agenda.

Hanteng 01:51, 22 November 2007 (PST)

From Dan Wheatley, London, UK
I found the lecture thoroughly informative, and I am attempting to pass it around to as many friends and colleagues as possible. There really is a relevance to just about any country that has, or claims to have, some representative form of government, including my own. I am sure Prof. Lessig is aware of Thwink.org's "Duelling Loops" paper, and if not, then I hope you follow the links and see further verification that what you are doing is of critical importance. I am interested in developing something similar to maplight.org but for my own country in order to further this cause. Thank you for the inspiration you have given me and I hope and expect you to have the same effect on others.

danwheatley 02:05, 6 February 2008 (BST)

Issues for version 1.0?
What to do when corruption is identified? Do you just tell everyone and try to get them to vote those corrupt politicians out? Do we need the power of recall (i.e. allowing the general public to vote out an unpopular politician at any time). Corruption is sometimes blatant and yet little can be done about the situation. Some will even push legislation knowing it may end their political career, all for the all mighty dollar. The Tasmanian Premier's handling of the Tamar Valley Pulp Mill application; and Alberto Gonzales's Dismissal of U.S. Attorneys come to mind [although this last one seems to be more politically motivated than motivated by money]. What is needed to go beyond just outing corruption and towards doing something about it? Am I missing the message of looking beyond the "one" as the problem? Pengo 22:08, 3 November 2007 (PDT)