A growing literature shows that elections are a poor mechanism to hold corrupt incumbents accountable. In that context, can institutional checks and balances compensate for the shortcomings of elections in fighting corruption? This paper examines a possible source of institutional accountability: the presence of politically insulated civil servants with oversight authority over the actions of incumbents. I examine the effect of politically insulated bureaucrats on a type of incumbent rent-seeking: the use of political budget cycles.

All welcome
Tea, coffee and biscuits from 11.50

Can the China Pakistan Economic Corrridor (CPEC) affect regional stability and the prospect for peace? Will Russia, Iran, and China be part of a new regional order at this crossroads of empire? This event will feature and interactive discussion of the One Belt One Road (OBOR) Initiative and its impact on geopolitics.

A discussion of the results of the March 4th election and the potential consequences for Italy and for the European Union.

The seminar will be introduced by Bill Emmott, Visiting Fellow at All Souls, author of “Good Italy, Bad Italy” (2012) and co-author of the documentary “Girlfriend in a Coma” (2013), who will then moderate a discussion among the panel.

DVDs of “Girlfriend in a Coma” will be available free of charge for all attendees.

A nuanced and comprehensive study of the political dynamics between Russia and key countries in Southeast Europe.
Is Russia threatening to disrupt more than two decades’ of E.U. and U.S. efforts to promote stability in post-communist Southeast Europe? Politicians and commentators in the West say, “yes.” With rising global anxiety over Russia’s political policies and objectives, Dimitar Bechev provides the only in-depth look at this volatile region.
 

There is a growing interest in the use of cyber weapons among states. But despite the increased interest in these capabilities, little is known about the nature of cyber weapons as a tool of the state. In this seminar, Max Smeets will show that they can alter the manner in which countries use their military power in various ways – including to achieve compellence. Attention will also be drawn to problems of conflict escalation and the potential symbolic value of cyber weapons as a 'prestige weapon’ to enhance ‘swaggering’.