The Politics of Anticorruption

This chapter uncovers the politics behind anticorruption. During the two decades since corruption has emerged as an issue on the global agenda, the politics of anticorruption has developed through five phases. In the first phase, Transparency International (TI) began a solitary effort to combat global corruption. In the second phase, international organizations including the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) became active developing anticorruption conventions. In the third phase, governments adopted national laws and regulations implementing these conventions. In the fourth phase, companies developed compliance programs. In the fifth phase, popular mass movements are playing an increasing role opposing corrupt governments.