‘Thieves Of State’ Reveals Tremendous Power Of Global Corruption

{
  "authors": [
    "Sarah Chayes"
  ],
  "type": "legacyinthemedia",
  "centerAffiliationAll": "dc",
  "centers": [
    "Carnegie Endowment for International Peace"
  ],
  "collections": [
    "Anti-Corruption"
  ],
  "englishNewsletterAll": "democracy",
  "nonEnglishNewsletterAll": "",
  "primaryCenter": "Carnegie Endowment for International Peace",
  "programAffiliation": "DCG",
  "programs": [
    "Democracy, Conflict, and Governance"
  ],
  "projects": [],
  "regions": [],
  "topics": [
    "Political Reform",
    "Democracy",
    "Economy"
  ]
}

In The Media

‘Thieves Of State’ Reveals Tremendous Power Of Global Corruption

Corruption fuels security crises around the world.

By Sarah Chayes

Published on Jan 16, 2015

Source: NPR’s All Things Considered

Sarah Chayes talks to NPR’s Audie Cornish about how corruption can create the fertile ground for religious extremism. Chayes’ new book is Thieves of State: Why Corruption Threatens Global Security.

This interview was originally broadcast on NPR’s All Things Considered.

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.

Recent Work

Commentary
China Financial Markets test
- Sarah Chayes
Paper
Fighting the Hydra: Lessons From Worldwide Protests Against Corruption
- Sarah Chayes

Political Reform Democracy Economy

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.

More Work from Carnegie Endowment for International Peace

Commentary
Carnegie Politika
Leaving Russian-Speakers Without Representation Is a Risk for Latvia
If the Russian-speaking community in Latvia cannot articulate their interests without being seen as disloyal, they could end up embracing a pro-Kremlin agenda.
Sergejs Potapkins
Commentary
Carnegie Politika
Putin Has Been a Hindrance, Not a Help, to United Russia’s Election Campaign
Russia’s ruling party would have benefited from Putin appearing as its distant patron, but as an active frontman imposing his views on the public, he has done nothing but harm both the party’s election campaign and the ruling system overall.
Andrey Pertsev
Commentary
BIS in the New Age of Import Controls
The Bureau of Industry and Security needs to adjust its focus and practices to maintain its position as the U.S. government’s primary champion of international technological competition.
Geoffrey Irving
Article
How Is Hungary’s New Government Doing?
Despite myriad challenges and occasional stumbles, the new Hungarian government is moving ahead with energy and conviction to uproot years of illiberalism and corruption and rebuild Hungarian democracy.
Thomas Carothers
Commentary
Carnegie Politika
The Kremlin Can No Longer Postpone Hard Economic Decisions
Depleted financial reserves and a shrinking tax base mean it is no longer possible to simultaneously deliver high defense spending, price stability, and economic growth.
Alexandra Prokopenko

More Work from Carnegie Endowment for International Peace

Commentary

Carnegie Politika

Leaving Russian-Speakers Without Representation Is a Risk for Latvia

If the Russian-speaking community in Latvia cannot articulate their interests without being seen as disloyal, they could end up embracing a pro-Kremlin agenda.

Sergejs Potapkins

Commentary

Carnegie Politika

Putin Has Been a Hindrance, Not a Help, to United Russia’s Election Campaign

Russia’s ruling party would have benefited from Putin appearing as its distant patron, but as an active frontman imposing his views on the public, he has done nothing but harm both the party’s election campaign and the ruling system overall.

Andrey Pertsev

hands holding semiconductors in production

Commentary

BIS in the New Age of Import Controls

The Bureau of Industry and Security needs to adjust its focus and practices to maintain its position as the U.S. government’s primary champion of international technological competition.

Geoffrey Irving

Peter Magyar delivers his first official speech after he was sworn into the parliament as the new Prime Minister of Hungary under the TISZA party, during today's inaugural session of the Hungarian Parliament, in Budapest, Hungary on 9 May 2026.

Article

How Is Hungary’s New Government Doing?

Despite myriad challenges and occasional stumbles, the new Hungarian government is moving ahead with energy and conviction to uproot years of illiberalism and corruption and rebuild Hungarian democracy.

Thomas Carothers

Commentary

Carnegie Politika

The Kremlin Can No Longer Postpone Hard Economic Decisions

Depleted financial reserves and a shrinking tax base mean it is no longer possible to simultaneously deliver high defense spending, price stability, and economic growth.

Alexandra Prokopenko