Perhaps because of the relative success of anticorruption measures or the rise in authoritarian regimes that keep power to themselves for lengthy periods of time, kleptocracy is emerging as a new phenomenon in the fight against corruption. Kleptocracy is a government whose corrupt leaders use political power to appropriate the wealth of their nation, typically by embezzling or misappropriating public funds at the expense of the wider public good. Kleptocracy has global, national and local dimensions and consequences, and it has been detrimental to democratic governance in many countries around the world. As such, its dynamic make kleptocracy a transnational phenomenon. But kleptocracy’s national dimension is where some of the most damage is done against democratic governance. Once kleptocrats have seized power, they aim to remain in control through corruption and by capturing all control institutions and keeping the power circles small with relatives and loyal friends. Their intent is selfish, and focus on destabilizing any balance of power, corroding the rule of law, and sustaining their power by destroying democratic institutions and casting doubt on the free press, elections, and the judiciary. Kleptocrats treat their country’s treasure as if it were their own personal bank account. Let’s unpack this new challenge.
Read More “Is Kleptocracy the New Front for Anti-Corruption?”
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