Institutional Corruption

The Edmond J. Safra Center for Ethics at Harvard University launched the Institutional Corruption Lab in 2009 as a five-year research initiative aimed at investigating the phenomenon of institutional corruption. This Lab was established under the leadership of Professor Lawrence Lessig and sought to explore how legal and ethical influences within institutions could lead to systemic corruption, thereby undermining the institution's effectiveness and public trust. The Lab's approach combined empirical research with normative analysis to understand and address the underlying mechanisms of institutional corruption. 

Structurally, the Lab brought together a multidisciplinary team of scholars, including political scientists, economists, legal experts, and ethicists, to collaborate on research projects. These projects aimed to identify patterns and causes of institutional corruption across various sectors, such as government, finance, and healthcare. By fostering an environment of interdisciplinary collaboration, the Lab intended to develop comprehensive strategies to mitigate corruption and promote institutional integrity.

One of the Lab's primary goals was to move beyond traditional notions of corruption, which often focus on individual misconduct, and instead highlight how systemic issues and institutional frameworks can facilitate corrupt practices. Through its research, the Lab aimed to inform policy reforms and institutional designs that could prevent corruption from becoming entrenched within organizations. The findings and methodologies developed by the Lab have contributed to a deeper understanding of how to create more transparent and accountable institutions.