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Rotten States?

Corruption, Post-Communism, and Neoliberalism

Rotten States? cover image

Book

Pages: 440

Illustrations: 18 tables

Published: June 2006

Author: Leslie Holmes

Official corruption has become increasingly prevalent around the world since the early 1990s. The situation appears to be particularly acute in the post-communist states. Corruption—be it real or perceived—is a major problem with concrete implications, including a lowered likelihood of foreign investment. In Rotten States? Leslie Holmes analyzes corruption in post-communist countries, paying particular attention to Bulgaria, Hungary, Poland, and Russia, as well as China, which Holmes argues has produced, through its recent economic liberalization, a system similar to post-communism. As he points out, these countries offer useful comparisons: they vary in terms of size, religious orientation, ethnic homogeneity, and their approaches to and economic success with the transition from communism.

Drawing on data including surveys commissioned especially for this study, Holmes examines the causes and consequences of official corruption as well as ways of combating it. He focuses particular attention on the timing of the recent increase in reports of corruption, the relationship between post-communism and corruption, and the interplay between corruption and the delegitimation and weakening of the state. Holmes argues that the global turn toward neoliberalism—with its focus on ends over means, flexibility, and a reduced role for the state—has generated much of the corruption in post-communist states. At the same time, he points out that neoliberalism is perhaps the single most powerful tool for overcoming the communist legacy, which is an even more significant cause of corruption. Among the conclusions that Holmes draws is that a strong democratic state is needed in the early stages of the transition from communism in order to prevent corruption from taking hold.

Praise

“[A]s thorough. . . an account of corruption in these five states as one will find.” - Robert Legvold, Foreign Affairs

“[Holmes] has developed a well-reasoned argument on the critical issue of the next century in comparative and strategic studies. His work fits well in courses and research on nation building and strategic relations.” - Paul Kriese, Perspectives on Political Science

“[T]his book is a rare attempt to bridge the research on the legitimacy of state institutions, corruption, and postcommunist societies. As such, it is a valuable contribution to the literature in this area.” - Mahabat Baimyrzaeva, Public Administration Review

“Leslie Holmes’s exploration of the nature, meaning, incidence, and effects of corruption should be interesting and highly relevant to students, scholars, and policymakers in a broad range of fields.” - Graeme B. Robertson, Political Science Quarterly

“With this comprehensive and most informative monograph Leslie Holmes provides a valuable contribution to ongoing scholarly debates about corruption by, importantly, presenting a due comparative and detailed study of the phenomenon in the post-communist world.” - Diana Schmidt, Political Studies Review

“Leslie Holmes’s book charts the shady terrain of post-communist corruption with rigor and elegance. Among his accomplishments are a fine-grained conceptual analysis, the compilation of a uniquely rich body of data on five countries, and a thorough and imaginative discussion of the causes, consequences, and potential cures of corruption in societies facing transitions to neoliberalism.” - Claus Offe, author of Varieties of Transition: The East European and East German Experience

“This is a well-documented book based on keen comparisons of the corruption that permeates several Central and Eastern European countries, their institutions, their organizations, and their cadres. Combining these elements, Leslie Holmes offers stimulating insights that move us closer to a theory of corruption.” - Harry Makler, Professor Emeritus, University of Toronto, and Visiting Scholar, Stanford University

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Author/Editor Bios Table Of Contents Rights Additional Information

Author/Editor Bios

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Leslie Holmes is Professor of Political Science at the University of Melbourne. His books include Post-Communism: An Introduction, also published by Duke University Press; The End of Communist Power: Anti-Corruption Campaigns and Legitimation Crisis; and (with John S. Dryzek) Post-Communist Democratization: Political Discourses across Thirteen Countries.

Table Of Contents

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List of Tables ix

List of Abbreviations xi

Preface xiii

1. Introduction 1

2. Definitional and Taxonomical Aspects of Corruption 17

3. Actual, Alleged, and Arguable Corruption 44

4. On the Scale and Main Areas of Corruption 90

5. The Impact of Corruption 146

6. Causes of Corruption 176

7. Measures Against Corruption 211

8. Conclusions 270

Notes 297

Bibliography263 363

Index 397

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Paper ISBN: 978-0-8223-3792-8 / Hardcover ISBN: 978-0-8223-3779-9 / eISBN: 978-0-8223-8773-2 / DOI: https://doi.org/10.1215/9780822387732

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