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Source: Getty

In The Media

National Writers Series: On Corruption

Corrupt countries function not as states that are failing but as criminal networks that are succeeding.

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By Sarah Chayes
Published on Dec 10, 2015
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Democracy, Conflict, and Governance

The Democracy, Conflict, and Governance Program is a leading source of independent policy research, writing, and outreach on global democracy, conflict, and governance. It analyzes and seeks to improve international efforts to reduce democratic backsliding, mitigate conflict and violence, overcome political polarization, promote gender equality, and advance pro-democratic uses of new technologies.

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Source: Interlochen Public Radio

Countries afflicted by pervasive corruption function not as states that are failing, but as criminal networks that are succeeding, argued Sarah Chayes. Speaking on Interlochen Public Radio as part of the National Writers Series, Chayes spoke about her experiences living in Afghanistan for nearly a decade, growing up in a policy-oriented family, and her recent book Thieves of State: Why Corruption Threatens Global Security.

This interview was originally broadcast on Interlochen Public Radio.

About the Author

Sarah Chayes

Former Senior Fellow, Democracy, Conflict, and Governance Program

Sarah Chayes is internationally recognized for her innovative thinking on corruption and its implications. Her work explores how severe corruption can help prompt such crises as terrorism, revolutions and their violent aftermaths, and environmental degradation.

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Sarah Chayes
Former Senior Fellow, Democracy, Conflict, and Governance Program
Sarah Chayes
DemocracySecurityForeign Policy

Carnegie does not take institutional positions on public policy issues; the views represented herein are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of Carnegie, its staff, or its trustees.

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