S. Combating Corruption and Strengthening Government: The Role, Functions, and Future of Inspectors General and other Oversight Mechanisms

The course will examine the role and functions of inspectors general and other oversight entities and mechanisms in detecting and deterring waste, fraud, abuse, and corruption, and in strengthening government programs and operations. In the first part of the course, students will focus on the federal inspector general system, examining its history and structure, the ways in which the Offices of Inspectors General have worked to improve government, detect and deter waste, fraud, and abuse, and advance transparency through both programmatic and investigative oversight. The course will then examine other entities and mechanisms to address official corruption across different levels and branches of government, international oversight efforts, and structural and other more recent challenges to effective independent oversight and the path ahead.  

Instructor: Robert P. Storch