Critiquing Corruption: A turn to theory

The authors identify an increased attention to corruption and anti-corruption studies within various academic fields including economics, political science, anthropology, sociology and history. The article provides a quick overview of the main debate present in the literature surrounding corruption and anti-corruption, and argues for privileging a theory-based critique of corruption where a shift away from normative standpoints regarding acceptable behavior and beyond arguments rooted in legal-positivist stances take place. The ‘turn to theory’ argued for in the article includes challenging simplifications in corruption research, unveiling hidden interest, and exposing the highly Western-centric approach to corruption where it appears as an outcome of ‘non-Western’ activities. Additionally, it is argued that a critical approach to corruption and anti-corruption studies allows for problematizing the taken for granted aspects of corruption.