With popular dissatisfaction over corruption increasing around the world, the term “kleptocracy” is often used as a catchall to describe any form of corrupt behavior by national elites. Yet transnational kleptocracy is a distinctive system of corruption in which local leaders divert massive amounts of public funds and harshly repress traditional avenues of accountability, oversight, and transparency. Propelled by globalization and the openness of the international finance system, kleptocratic regimes project their power beyond their borders, purchasing regional media outlets, hiring Western PR firms, and engaging international lawyers and bankers to launder their images and protect their wealth.
THE GLOBALIZATION OF VENALITY: KLEPTOCRACY’S CORROSIVE IMPACT ON DEMOCRACY
A distinguished panel of speakers will discuss the unique features of transnational kleptocracy and how it is impacting democracy in Africa, Asia, Europe, Eurasia, and beyond:
Oliver Bullough, Author of Let Our Fame Be Great and Last Man in Russia
Brett Carter, University of Southern California
Ambassador Daniel Fried, Atlantic Council
Cynthia Gabriel, Center to Combat Corruption and Cronyism (right)
Moderated by Christopher Walker, Vice President, Studies and Analysis, National Endowment for Democracy
Monday, September 18, 2017
4:00 p.m. – 5:30 p.m.
1025 F Street NW, Suite 800, Washington, DC 20004
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