The Global Rise of Corruption-Driven Political Change

Christopher Carothers

《Taiwan Journal of Democracy》 16卷2期 (2020/12) Pp. 147-168

摘要

In recent years, a striking number of presidents and prime ministers around the world have been ousted before the end of their terms because of political fallout from corruption. Corruption-driven political change is an important global trend that signals the rising costs to politicians of engaging in and allowing corruption. Driven by citizens' decreasing tolerance for wrongdoing and growing access to information, this trend is a counterpoint to recent fears that politicians are increasingly escaping accountability by spreading disinformation, polarizing society, or whipping up populist sentiments. Though ousting a corrupt leader is just one step toward the systemic reform necessary to eliminate corruption, the growth of public demands for clean government is a generally positive development for democracy. This essay analyzes dozens of cases around the world and presents a case study of the South Korean protest movement that led to President Park Geun-hye's impeachment and removal from office in 2017.

關鍵字

Corruption ； corruption scandals ； democratization ； leadership change ； new democracies ； South Korea

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