Difference between revisions of "Pari pod masata (Bulgaria)"

In 2001, 34 % of the population considered informal payments as an unchangeable aspect of the country’s culture (Grodeland, Koshechkina & Miller, 2001: 140). Gift giving, in particular, was seen as legitimate because means to express gratitude and respect to the public servant. Media coverage of informal payments peaked at the turn of the century when major anti-corruption legislation was introduced, and the debates regarding informal payments entered the public discourse following international scandals. For instance, in 2002 Greece declared that it would not accept higher education diplomas issued from Bulgarian universities because of the widespread bribes in the sector. According to media investigations, in the 2000s an exam passing costed between 150 and 300 US dollars (Coalition 2000 & CSD, 2005, p. 14). Nowadays, informal payments remain widespread: The Global Corruption Barometer for 2019 reported that 12% of public service users had given a bribe in the past year (Transparency International, 2019). Unregulated donations, showing gratitude to teachers, doctors and officials is still considered a cultural phenomenon rather than immoral behaviour.   

In 2001, 34 % of the population considered informal payments as an unchangeable aspect of the country’s culture (Grodeland, Koshechkina & Miller, 2001: 140). Gift giving, in particular, was seen as legitimate because means to express gratitude and respect to the public servant. Media coverage of informal payments peaked at the turn of the century when major anti-corruption legislation was introduced, and the debates regarding informal payments entered the public discourse following international scandals. For instance, in 2002 Greece declared that it would not accept higher education diplomas issued from Bulgarian universities because of the widespread bribes in the sector. According to media investigations, in the 2000s an exam passing costed between 150 and 300 US dollars (Coalition 2000 & CSD, 2005, p. 14). Nowadays, informal payments remain widespread: The Global Corruption Barometer for 2019 reported that 12% of public service users had given a bribe in the past year (Transparency International, 2019). Unregulated donations, showing gratitude to teachers, doctors and officials is still considered a cultural phenomenon rather than immoral behaviour.   

24 Chasa. 2020. ‘2000 evro na smyana ot podkupi na mitnicharite na Kalotina, 50 evro bili za shefa (Obzor)’, 7 February, https://www.24chasa.bg/novini/article/8163285

24 Chasa. 2020. ‘2000 evro na smyana ot podkupi na mitnicharite na Kalotina, 50 evro bili za shefa (Obzor)’, 7 February, https://www.24chasa.bg/novini/article/8163285

Atanasova, E., Pavlova, M., Moutafova, E., Rachel, B., and Groot, W. 2013. ‘Informal Payments for Health Services: the experience of Bulgaria after 10 years of formal co-payments’, European Journal of Public Health, 24: 733-9.

Atanasova, E., Pavlova, M., Moutafova, E., Rachel, B., and Groot, W. 2013. ‘Informal Payments for Health Services: the experience of Bulgaria after 10 years of formal co-payments’, European Journal of Public Health, 24: 733-9.