Civil Society and Corruption: Armenian Public Perceptions

Research ProjectDr. Yevgenya Paturyan

Yerevan, 2009

Caucasus Research Resource Centers – ARMENIAA Program of Eurasia Partnership Foundation

Presentation Structure

Theoretical concepts Background information Research Questions Results:

Perceptions of NGOs Active Population Groups

Conclusion and Discussion

Theoretical Concepts

Civil society :Voluntary sphere outside of market, state and private realms

Corruption: abuse of public power for private benefit

http://info.worldbank.org/governance/wgi/sc_chart.asp# accessed on July 8, 2009.

Background information

Research Questions

RQ 1: How are NGOs perceived in relation to corruption issues in Armenia?

RQ 2: Do people, willing to counter corruption in Armenia, constitute a distinct group different from the general population?

Perceptions of NGOs Good News

Not corrupt (77.7%) Capable of combating corruption (55%)

Bad News Not well known Not too many people would approach Almost no one does approach or think

about approaching without prior probing

Knowledge of NGOs

Know an anti-corruption NGO: Yes: 6.4% (could name one: 5.6%) No: 91.3% Don’t know what an NGO is: 2.3%

Most known NGOs: AYLA, Yerevan Press Club

Willingness to approach an NGO

N % Valid %

Yes 506 32.7% 46.8%

No 576 37.2% 53.2%

Total Valid 1082 69.9% 100%

NA 104 6.7%

Don’t Know 344 22.2%

Refused 19 1.2%

Total Missing

467 30.1%

Total 1549 100%

Awareness of NGOs What can you do to reduce

corruption? Approach an NGO: 0.8% (13 people) as a first choice, total 1.7% (27 people).

What institution would you contact: 0.1 % (2 people) as a first choice, total 0.4% (7 people).

Have reported to NGOs: 0.8% (12 people)

Interest in NGO Assistance

Information about rights 56%

Information about obligations 34.%

Information about legislation 25.9%

Information about where to complain

18.8%

Free legal advice 15.4%

Active Groups

‘Hones’ People Would not take a bribe: 71.9% Would not give a bribe: 40.9% Would do neither: 37.1%

Potential Anti-Corruption Activists Anti-Corruption Activists

Anti-Corruption Activists

Yes

Abstain from paying bribes 32.0%

Refuse to make favors 22.6%

Report corruption to NGOs 0.8%

Report corruption to authorities 0.4%

File a lawsuit 0.2%

Participate in awareness campaigns

0.6%

Participate in educational campaigns

1.2%

Anti-Corruption Activists: Who are they? Age Gender Education: people with higher education Income: people with 120-240 000 AMD

monthly income Urban/Rural: urban residents Region in Armenia: Yerevan and

Tavush

Conclusion

‘Shallow Positive’ Image of NGOs Anti-Corruption activists are rural

residents of Yerevan and Tavush with higher education and upper-middle income.