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Source: Getty

In The Media

Breaking the Wall of Corruption: Why Curbing Kleptocracy Is Essential to Global Security

The network model, or operating system model, of corruption creates a serious security risk because it risks driving citizens to violence and joining insurgent groups.

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By Sarah Chayes
Published on Nov 9, 2017
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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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Falling Walls

Carnegie’s Sarah Chayes discussed the network model, or operating system model, of corruption with audiences at the Falling Walls conference in Berlin. She explained that this style of corruption, which inflames the indignity of average citizens, creates a serious security risk because it risks driving those citizens to violence and recruitment in insurgent groups. Additionally, this kind of kleptocratic network operation can also be found operating in force in the developed world, she added. She said that the key to fighting it involves developing widespread social sanctions against it and by keeping it non-partisan.

This video was originally published by Falling Walls.

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

Sarah Chayes
Former Senior Fellow, Democracy, Conflict, and Governance Program
Sarah Chayes
DemocracyGlobal GovernanceCivil Society

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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