Corruption and Democratic Transition in Eastern Europe

This book examines the relationship between corruption scandals and transitional processes in post-Miloevi Serbia after 2000. The study challenges the view that corruption has always been understood as a conflict between private interests and the public good, as these concepts are defined in Western democracies, and explores how anti-corruption discourse has been used for political mobilisation. Through an examination of high-profile political scandals in Serbia, the author shows how the meaning of corruption changed over time. In the early 2000s, corruption focused on the legacy of Miloevi's rule and was identified through the public's limited access to the privatisation process. By the end of the decade, conceptualisations of corruption in public debate were so diversified that each anti-corruption measure undertaken by the state was interpreted as an act of corruption by other voices in the discourse. The book will appeal to students and scholars interested in corruption studies, discourse analysis and Balkan politics.

Based on the author's fieldwork and media analysis from the region Challenges the view that corruption scandals can only exist in consolidated democracies Introduces a new understanding of corruption based on the separation of private and public political spheres

Autorentext

Marija Zurni is an independent researcher in anti-corruption studies and discourse analysis in Southeast Europe.

Inhalt

1. Introduction: Political Scandals and Transition in Serbia.- 2. Yugoslavia from Kingdom to Socialist Federation: Political Order and Political Corruption.- 3. Miloevi's Rule and Corruption.- 4. Confronting Corruption in Post-Miloevi Serbia: Discourse and Institutions.- 5. Money Laundering and Privatisation: The Money in Cyprus Scandal and the Privatisation of Jugoremedija.- 6. State, Interest and Political Corruption: The Bankruptcy of Sartid and the Privatisation of C Market.- 7.Institution-Building and Institutionalised Corruption: The Port of Belgrade Privatisation and Swine Flu Scandals.- 8. Conclusions: Political Scandals and Political Action.