Grand corruption, also known as political corruption, state capture, or kleptocracy, thrives in environments with weak checks on executive power and undue private influence over government branches. This lack of oversight allows powerful individuals to neutralize regulatory and enforcement institutions, leading to impunity for their corrupt actions. Perpetrators often protect their illicit gains by silencing critics, sometimes through violence.
The severe damage caused by grand corruption and the impunity enjoyed by its perpetrators make it crucial for the international community to find effective countermeasures. The involvement of transnational networks in grand corruption highlights the need for coordinated international efforts.
Although international obligations and recommendations exist to counter corruption and protect human rights, they are primarily directed at states. When high-level officials and elites collude to abuse state power, these measures have little impact.
Thus, the international community must develop additional strategies to combat grand corruption. This working paper suggests that jurisdictions with stronger rule of law could aid in criminal enforcement and remediation of harms in weaker jurisdictions. It also underscores the importance of non-state actors and collective international actions.
Drawing on past experiences, the paper identifies national and international measures to increase accountability for grand corruption offenders and improve remedies for their victims. These measures would be most effective if implemented together and based on an international legal framework, and some could also address less severe international corruption cases.