Political corruption is a pervasive and complicated problem. Generally, corruption is defined as the abuse of power, public office, or entrusted authority for private gain. Though corruption is an obvious issue in developing nations, such as Somalia, Venezuela, and Syria, it is also a persistent and growing problem in the European Union (EU). This is particularly alarming because EU membership is conditional, meaning that its member states must meet and maintain certain democratic standards.3 However, even with conditional membership and supranational governmental oversight, many EU member states experience democratic backsliding and deteriorating corruption controls.
Corruption breeds economic inefficiency, authoritarianism, and public distrust or dissatisfaction with the government. Corruption has negative empirical effects, such as reduced foreign direct investment, decreased economic growth, distorted competition, and curbed innovation. Corruption also has a positive relationship with organized crime, shadow economies, and decreases in tax revenue in relation to GDP. On a broad scale, corruption is linked to decreased competition and low involvement in international trade, both of which are indicative of poor economic health.
Disparate Domestic Definitions: The EU’s Muddled Attempt to Harmonize Corruption Offenses
21 May 2026