Political Corruption in Transition
A Skeptic's Handbook

Edited by Stephen Kotkin, professor at Princeton University
András Sajó, head of Legal Studies at Central European University

"The product of seventeen authors brought together by Princeton University and the Open Society Institute, and by the Central European University; together, they provide a multifaceted critique of primordialist, cultural-based theories of corruption." - Global Crime

Based on two international conferences at Princeton University and the Central European University, this is a handy guide to the problem of corruption in transition countries, with an important comparative content. Political Corruption in Transition is distinguished from similar publications by at least two features: by the quality of the carefully selected and edited essays ans by its original treatment. Instead of the usual preaching and excommunications, this Skeptic`s Handbook represents down-to-earth realism.

Combines general issues with case studies and original research. The geographic coverage is wide, though it is ideas rather thena geography that drive the volume`s organization.

"This is a wide-ranging comparative review of corruption during the transition from communism. Its particular strength however, is its scepticism - scepticism about the definition of corruption, about the incidence of corruption in transition countries, about the true nature of internal anti-corruption campaigns, about external characterisations of transition countries as corrupt, and about the true nature of external pressures on transition states to combat corruption. It serves therefore as a valuable counterbalance to external prejudice nad reformist enthusiasms."
- William L. Miller, Professor of Politics, Glasgow University

2002
522 pages
ISBN 978-963-9241-46-6 cloth $49.95 / €42.95 / £33.00
ISBN 978-963-9241-47-3 paperback $24.95 / €19.95 / £16.99