Greaseless: How to Thrive without Bribes in Developing Countries

I once attended a public lecture on bribery by the governor of Rizal province. His message was that bribery was an inescapable fact of life, and that what it really required was a normative structure. To his credit, he was arguing that decisions be made objectively and token bribes be taken from all parties to a dispute. This was an incremental attempt to change a corrupt system. But, no one in the audience considered the alternative of not having bribery as an integral part of the political and administrative systems. Dr. Breuning challenges us to think differently about such norms. Her engaging book is well-written and the drawings are humorous and entertaining. This book would do well as a supplemental reading in any of a number of graduate and undergraduate courses in political science, especially those focused on political development and political culture.

I grew up in Romania where people thought that you have to bribe to get things done. In my experience I discovered that things get done without having to bribe. It is true that it takes longer and the process at times can be complicated and difficult, but you don't have to resort to bribes to get what you need. This is what Greaseless talks about. Greaseless: How to Thrive without Bribes in Developing Countries provides a brief and respectful introduction to the behaviors and motivations a person encounters when dealing with bureaucrats in developing countries, and a forward way on how to say NO to corruption while still getting things done. Reading Greaseless reminded me of all of those times when I had to renew my Identification Card or to get a permit from the mayor's office to open a small business. I had to deal with the bureaucratic system that is accustomed to getting paid bribes to do their jobs. In-spite of the fact that all my friends advised me to pay the bribes I said NO. Why should I pay extra for a service that I'm already paying for? I did not see the need to pay the bribe, and as I anticipated I received my Identification Card and the permit. It is also true that it took longer, but sometimes you just have to be patient. I found that Greaseless offers it's readers the language necessary to say NO in a respectful way, and still be able to get what you need done.

Greaseless is an engaging, well-written book that helps the reader navigate beyond the corruption associated with doing business in the Third World. Dr. Breuning demolishes contemporary myths about the rigidity of Third World corruption and shows that it is possible to conduct business in an ethical manner even in societies where corruption appears to be the established norm. Ultimately, the pursuit of her principles results in the establishment of business practices that help remove the dysfunctional impact of corruption on Third World economic and political development. This is a work that is as relevant to the business person seeking pragmatic advice about conducting business in the Third World as it is to the professor running a seminar in international business.

What a fantastic guide to handling the often delicate balancing act when doing business in developing countries! The advise is practical yet provides a solid understanding of the underlying reasons for maintaining integrity. Ultimately, establishing trust and accountability in economic transactions will benefit all parties. It is not a question of right and wrong, not a question of culture, but of the fundamental basis for economic growth and development

While this is clearly a book intended for adults involved in international business, the illustrations and the non-preachy tone of the book make it fun to read. This would be a good selection for business students or those studying international relations.