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Corruption in post-conflict Bosnia-Herzegovina and Kosovo: a deal among friends

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  • Roberto Belloni
  • Francesco Strazzari

Abstract

Since the late 1990s international state builders have paid increasing attention to fighting corruption in both Bosnia-Herzegovina and Kosovo. On the surface this effort has brought significant results, since both countries have adopted legal frameworks modelled on the best practices of Western democracies. In practice, however, corruption remains rampant. This disappointing outcome has several explanations: in reviewing the empirical evidence we consider the two countries as cases involving heavily assisted transition from both socialism and war, highlighting how collusive practices between political and criminal interests have played a role in establishing formally liberal but substantively ‘hybrid’ institutions. We argue that the spread of corruption has been implicitly legitimised by international actors, who have pressured local parties to accept the formal architecture of good governance, including anti-corruption legislation, while turning a blind eye to those extra-legal structures and practices perceived as functional to political stability.

Suggested Citation

  • Roberto Belloni & Francesco Strazzari, 2014. "Corruption in post-conflict Bosnia-Herzegovina and Kosovo: a deal among friends," Third World Quarterly, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 35(5), pages 855-871, May.
  • Handle: RePEc:taf:ctwqxx:v:35:y:2014:i:5:p:855-871
    DOI: 10.1080/01436597.2014.921434
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    Cited by:

    1. Martin MENDELSKI, 2016. "The EU’s rule of law promotion in post-Soviet Europe: what explains the divergence between Baltic States and EaP countries?," Eastern Journal of European Studies, Centre for European Studies, Alexandru Ioan Cuza University, vol. 7, pages 111-144, December.
    2. Sofie Buch Mejsner & Leena Eklund Karlsson, 2017. "Informal Payments and Health System Governance in Serbia: A Pilot Study," SAGE Open, , vol. 7(3), pages 21582440177, August.
    3. Michael Martin Richter, 2023. "‘Call the Bluff’ or ‘Build Back Better’—Anti‐corruption reforms in post‐war Ukraine," Global Policy, London School of Economics and Political Science, vol. 14(4), pages 611-622, September.
    4. Dogmus, Özge Can & Nielsen, Jonas Østergaard, 2020. "The on-paper hydropower boom: A case study of corruption in the hydropower sector in Bosnia and Herzegovina," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 172(C).
    5. Adam Fagan & Indraneel Sircar, 2020. "Transformation All the Way Down? European Union Integration and the Professional Socialization of Municipal Health Officials in Serbia," Journal of Common Market Studies, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 58(3), pages 688-705, May.
    6. Haass, Felix & Ottmann, Martin, 2017. "Profits from Peace: The Political Economy of Power-Sharing and Corruption," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 99(C), pages 60-74.

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