New book on political corruption published

Oxford University Press has published a new book on political corruption by Dr. Iain McMenamin from the School of Law and Government. Education and Skills Minister Ruairí Quinn and DCU President Prof. Brian MacCraith both spoke at a reception in the Royal Irish Academy to mark the publication of “If Money Talks, What Does it Say? Corruption and Business Financing of Political Parties”. Minister Quinn criticised what he called the “politically correct” presumption that if you get a political donation “you are inevitably corrupted”. Dr. McMenamin's research - which was supported by the Irish Research Council - provides intensive case studies of Australia, Canada, and Germany, as well as using data from other countries. Among the questions answered in the book are: Why do businesses contribute to political parties? Is money a universal language? Do business contributions to political parties convey different messages in different countries?