Exploring Pathways to Optimize China’s Anti-Corruption Efforts from the Perspective of the Broken-Window Theory

Abstract

The Broken Windows Theory is a classic psychological theory first proposed in the 1960s. It has made significant theoretical contributions to the fields of criminology and the governance of policing activities.China’s anti-corruption efforts can also fully draw on the theoretical insights offered by the Broken Windows Theory. The theory operates through a causal chain in which the emergence of disorder triggers public fear, which in turn leads to disengagement, thereby undermining the system of non-formal social control. The key to breaking this chain lies in introducing effective formal social control measures before illegal and criminal behavior escalates.In the field of anti-corruption, formal social control measures manifest in the form of oversight and accountability mechanisms, a zero-tolerance policy for punishing corruption, and efforts to address loopholes in anti-corruption systems and mechanisms. Oversight and accountability serve as a crucial mechanism for curbing the “broken windows” effect in corruption; by clarifying responsible parties, holding those accountable for dereliction of duty , and promptly correcting “broken window” behaviors, they prevent their spread.A zero-tolerance policy for punishing corruption can promptly “repair the broken windows” in the anti-corruption sphere. By cracking down on minor disciplinary violations and rule-breaking as soon as they emerge, it eliminates the implicit encouragement of misconduct and prevents the spread of a culture of corruption. Promptly addressing loopholes in anti-corruption systems and mechanisms can effectively block the transmission pathways of the broken-window effect and eliminate the breeding ground for corruption; this is a core measure for curbing the broken-window effect in corruption and achieving long-term effectiveness in anti-corruption governance.