Understanding Corruption: How Corruption Works in Practice

Corruption takes many different forms and the systems that enable it are complex and challenging. To best understand corruption, one needs to examine how it operates in practice. Understanding Corruption tells the story of how corruption happens in the real world, illustrated through detailed case studies of the many different types of corruption that span the globe. Each case study follows a tried and tested analytical approach that provides key insights into the workings of corruption and the measures best used to tackle it. The case studies examined include examples of corporate bribery, political corruption, facilitation payments, cronyism, state capture, kleptocracy, asset recovery, offshore secrecy, reputation laundering and unexplained wealth, and actors include businesses, governments, politicians, governing bodies and public servants.

Robert Barrington is Professor of Anti-Corruption Practice in the Centre for the Study of Corruption at the University of Sussex.

Elizabeth David-Barrett is Professor of Governance and Integrity and Director of the Centre for the Study of Corruption at the University of Sussex.

Sam Power is Lecturer in Corruption Analysis in the Centre for the Study of Corruption at the University of Sussex.

Dan Hough is Professor of Politics at the University of Sussex. He has been a consultant on corruption and anti-corruption issues for the UK government, the Saudi Arabian anti-corruption commission, and the South Korean anti-corruption commission.