Corruption and Anti-Corruption Strategies: An Assessment Framework

Causal explanations of corruption and governance abound in the literature, as well as studies about the effects upon outcomes such as economic growth, political equilibrium and social equality. When countries are confronted with failed reforms and corruption scandals, this can aggravate the economic crisis. European countries vary enormously in the extent to which politicians or public officials abuse their powers for private gain. In this context, of greater intellectual interest are those methods or strategies by which one could tackle the challenge of reform in order to reduce the severity of corruption. In this regard, this article aims to shape and improve the literature that deals with corruption and provides ways to reduce this widespread phenomenon.