Hi Afrim,

What an interesting inquiry!  And, it touches upon legal as well as moral/ethical issues. However, I do not think you should limit your investigation to 'transition countries' as so-called 'developed nations' have a real leg-up on using the law to accomplish political aims, as well as a special expertise in politicizing the law. 

Two examples: 

1.  The recent reinstatement of laws requiring voters to provide a 'legitimate' photo identification prior to voting (even if a registered voter) accomplishes the political goals of Republicans in the U.S. to keep black voters out of the voting booths where they are likely to vote Democratic.  Unfortunately, black U.S. citizens are least likely to be in possession of qualifying photo ID cards, which are generally issued by employers or a Department of Motor Vehicles, since many are unemployed or not employed by the type of corporate employers who issues ID cards.  Moreover, especially if an urban dweller or older, blacks are not likely to have a photo driver's license.  Of course, older black citizens are those who most likely want to vote because they know how hard blacks had to battle to get the right to vote in the South in particular.  On the other hand, many young blacks are too cynical to vote, feeling it is 'choosing between nothing and zero'; i.e., eeny meeny miny moe.

2. Many notorious criminals in the U.S. (i.e., members of organized crime) escape imprisonment based upon the criminal laws they violate; instead, they end up in jail for income tax evasion.  The Internal Revenue Services (IRS) is much more effective than the criminal justice system at putting criminals behind bars based upon failure of the criminals to declare their income on the tax returns that all income earners are obligated to file annually -- regardless of the source of their income (e.g., drug trafficking, prostitution, illegal gambling, etc.)  Here, we have tax laws being effectively used to circumvent the many Constitutional protections that raise hurdles to effective use of the criminal laws.  Even the least competent criminal attorney can think of three or four reasons to get evidence excluded from a criminal trial as ‘fruit of a poisoned tree’ and thus get his criminal client off.  By contrast, not even a brilliant tax attorney can do no more than try to negotiate payment over time and a reduced sentence for a client faced with a tax evasion charge.

Gwen

I think if you modify the wording of your question to focus on  de-criminalizing legally institutionalized un-ethical and immoral practices, instead of the word "politics". "Politics or political science" is a discipline rather than an  object, which may blur what you are trying to communicate-just respectful advice. In doing so, I think more individuals with political backgrounds will respond to your question - which is an important question and I didn't miss your message.

Note: in some cases moral relativity is an issue, otherwise I hope these articles are of use...

Anyanwu, G. E., Udemezue, O. O., & Obikili, E. N. (2011). Dark age of sourcing cadavers in developing countries: A Nigerian survey. Clinical Anatomy, 24(7), 831-836.

Nnorom, I. C., & Osibanjo, O. (2008). Overview of electronic waste (e-waste) management practices and legislations, and their poor applications in the developing countries. Resources, conservation and recycling, 52(6), 843-858.

Friedman, E. A., & Friedman, A. L. (2006). Payment for donor kidneys: Pros and cons. Kidney international, 69(6), 960-962.

Wolf, S. M. (2004). Law & bioethics: From values to violence. The Journal of Law, Medicine & Ethics, 32(2), 293-306.

Smolin, D. M. (2004). Inter-country adoption as child trafficking. Val. UL Rev., 39, 281.

Dolmo, B. C. (2001). Examining global access to essential pharmaceuticals in the face of patent protection rights: The South African example. Buff. Hum. Rts. L. Rev., 7, 137.

Olweny, C. (1994). The ethics and conduct of cross‐cultural research in developing countries. Psycho‐Oncology, 3(1), 11-20.

I would like to help with your study, please clarify below:

1) decriminalization suggest repealing laws that allow for immoral behaviour

2) criminalization means to pass laws the discourage certain behaviours

The reason I ask, is because the literature is different and focuses on different objectives.

Respectfully, Daryn

Thank you Mss.Yvonne Alexis and Mr. Dyer for your message and suggestions. I find valuable and useful. Concrete reason for my question is that: there is a current debate in my country and neighboring countries, regarding the fact, what mechanisms should be created to prevent running in the election of individuals with criminal records (in the past or actually), with criminal relations, indict or indirectly with criminal's support .

Hello Dr. Krasniqi,

In Canada, issues of corruption or unethical behaviour surrounds election funding.

I will look up mechanisms to manage these issues and get back to you.

D.

Here is a start to reforming parliament along ethical lines:

Sieberer, U., Müller, W. C., & Heller, M. I. (2011). Reforming the Rules of the Parliamentary Game: Measuring and Explaining Changes in Parliamentary Rules in Austria, Germany, and Switzerland, 1945–2010. West European Politics, 34(5), 948-975.

Kunicova, J., & Remington, T. F. (2008). Mandates, Parties and Dissent Effect of Electoral Rules on Parliamentary Party Cohesion in the Russian State Duma, 1994—2003. Party Politics, 14(5), 555-574.

Skelcher, C., & Snape, S. (2001). Ethics and local councillors: modernising standards of conduct. Parliamentary Affairs, 54(1), 72-87.

Stapenhurst, R., Johnston, N., & Pelizzo, R. (Eds.). (2006). The role of parliament in curbing corruption. World Bank Publications.

Role, I. C. F. I. C. Punishing Disorderly Behavior in Congress: The First Century An Introductory Essay By Don Wolfensberger For the Congress Project Seminar.