As part of the cycle of lectures by new researchers at the Institute of Social Sciences, dr Milica Joković Pantelić, a Research Associate from the Centre for Politicological Research and Public Opinion, held a lecture on November 30, 2022 in the Great Hall of the Institute of Social Sciences on the topic “The Influence of Patterns on the Formation of Corrupt Behavior in Serbia“.
The influence of patterns on the formation of corrupt behavior were presented on the lecture. The standpoint of the lecture is how does tradition influence the origin, development and formation of a corrupt pattern of behavior in Serbia, which is transformed into corrupt behavior at the level of institutionalized patterns? The patterns are the product of historical and social circumstances that arose in the period before the formation of the modern Serbian statehood and during its consolidation.
Through the analysis of numerous literary works and national creativity from the past, the influences that contributed to the formation of corrupt patterns of behavior in Serbia were noted. These influences are related to survival, power, money, employment, friendships and family ties, satisfaction of various needs, profits and interests. In this context, the following patterns were singled out: survival pattern; a pattern of ingenuity and guile; a customary pattern arising from family, kinship, friendship and country ties; pattern of government functioning; money usage pattern; the pattern of satisfying needs at any cost (from health to luxury); and a pattern of justice and equity.
The aim of the lecture was to show how much patterns created in the past affect contemporaries from five selected professions (judges, police officers, doctors, professors, “ordinary citizens”), which are most exposed to corrupt practices. During the lecture, results were presented that indicate the extent to which corruption, which stems from tradition, is present in the mentioned professions.
During the discussion, it was emphasized that tradition is still rooted in modern society in Serbia and significantly influences the opinions and behaviors of citizens. In this regard, it was repeated that negative tradition affects the formation of a corrupt pattern, that is, its reproduction and persistence in consciousness.
At the end of the discussion, the participants agreed on the necessity of taking measures in the fight against corruption, from preventive action, adopting an elaborate strategy, raising public awareness of corruption as a dangerous and harmful social phenomenon, to taking appropriate sanctions.
