Corruption, conflict and power struggle - destabilizing the Colombian state for decades.

Inefficient & corrupt judiciary undermines democratic institutions.

Erosion of Colombian political culture as a result of corruption. Lack of transparency and accountability. Corruption hampers political & economic development. Corruption undermines the electoral process. Personal rather than institutionalized relationships. No democratic consolidation due to corrupt symbiosis between

the legal system and the Colombian government.

Joseph S. Nye on corruption: perversion or misuse of power for personal benefit.

Political vs. societal corruption. Grand corruption vs. petty corruption. Embezzlement. Bribery, extortion, kickbacks. Nepotism, clientalism, favouritism, cronyism, money

laundering. Susan Rose-Ackerman: “state capture”.

Guillermo O’Donnell: the legal system should be the superior institution before which all citizens are treated as equals and it should be a legal guarantor of people’s rights and freedoms.

The rule of law and judiciary are the pillars of the democratic state.

O’Donnell stresses on the “democratic rule of law”. Juan Linz and Alfred Stepan: when the legal system is

working free of corruption, it is just and impartial, it contributes to the effectiveness of the state’s functions.

Terry Lynn Karl: pacted transitions bring stability at the expense of political development.

Patronage politics dictated by powerful elites and oligarchs. FARC – armed struggle against corrupt officials. Ordinary people excluded from the political life. Erosion of political culture. Elections marred by corruption. Lack of trust in Colombian institutions. Impunity. Relations become personal rather than institutionalized. Personalism eradicates continuity of government policies. Larry Diamond: democratic “deconsolidation”.

Narcotics business has devastating effects on the economy, society and politics.

The narcotics industry penetrates society and government.

Corruption and illegal practices at all levels.

Killings of inconvenient people unpunished due to compliance of corrupt security forces.

Drug cartels wage war against the Colombian state in opposition to the practice of extradition.

The judiciary prone to corrupt activities. Weak & dependent judiciary. Pressure from the executive and legislative. Briberies, kickbacks, embezzlement. Arbitrariness of the rule of law. The judicial system lacks accountability and transparency. Societal distrust in the legal system. Impunity. Inefficient judiciary impedes political & economic

development. Failure to legally guarantee civil rights and freedoms.

Colombian democracy and stability are undermined by:

omnipresent corruption weak judicial system systematic abrogation of the rule of law drug industry internal conflict