Contemporary theoretical perspectives on corruption

This Anti-Corruption Helpdesk brief was produced in response to a query from a U4 Partner Agency. The U4 Helpdesk is operated by Transparency International in collaboration with the U4 Anti-Corruption Resource Centre based at the Chr. Michelsen Institute.

Query

What are some of the major contemporary concepts in the study of corruption? Who are the “big thinkers” involved in these discussions?

This Helpdesk Answer provides a snapshot of some of the contemporary debates and theoretical innovations in relation to corruption and anti-corruption interventions. In each case, the paper discusses the specific contributions of prominent scholars.

Contents

1. Background
2. Conceptualising the drivers and forms of corruption
   1. Transnational corruption
   2. State capture
   3. Discriminatory dimensions of corruption
   4. Legalised corruption
3. Prominent approaches to preventing and countering corruption
   1. Dynamic studies
   2. Sectoral approaches
   3. Innovations in the measurement of corruption
   4. Insights from behavioural economics
   5. The use of emerging technologies
4. References

Authors

Caitlin Maslen (TI)

[email protected]

Reviewers

Rosa Loureiro-Revilla (U4)

Roberto Kukutschka and Matthew Jenkins (TI)

Date

27/03/2024

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