# Addressing corruption as a driver of democratic decline: Positions towards Summit for Democracy 2021 URL: https://www.transparency.org/en/publications/summit-for-democracy-2021-addressing-corruption-democratic-decline Type: Publication or report Published: 2021-11-17 Updated: 2021-12-03 --- 17 November 2021 Corruption undermines democracy, destroys public trust in institutions, skews policymaking in the interest of the few and leads to the capture of accountability mechanisms. This was recognised by the international community almost two decades ago, and yet corrupt practices in countries around the world have continued to damage democracy, igniting a new rise in authoritarianism. The current interlinked global crises of democracy and corruption – along with the associated human rights abuses – bring into question the very legitimacy of the state in the worst affected countries, where corruption is a means of state capture and authoritarian consolidation. Even in more resilient democracies, national integrity systems are often proving insufficiently robust to meet the challenge of corruption – especially in the context of spiralling inequalities and environmental and health crises. The corruption problems that established democracies face at home diminish their ability to confront the rising authoritarianism around the world. What’s worse, these countries contribute to global democratic decline by failing to curb the transnational corruption linked to their jurisdictions. Corrupt actors, networks, schemes and corruption proceeds cross borders with great ease, bypassing weak national oversight and enforcement systems. And the same weaknesses that allow for dirty money to circulate in an ever-more globalised economy are often exploited by authoritarian regimes to exert illicit influence on social, economic and political affairs of democracies, contributing to polarisation and mistrust. There is an urgent need to address corruption as a driver of democratic decline. This is especially critical for ensuring that the legacy of the COVID-19 pandemic does not include increased authoritarianism. Transparency International is urging governments that gather for the Summit for Democracy in December 2021 to follow through on previous pledges and make new, meaningful commitments, with a clear timeline for action, in three key areas. ### Related publications ## [Connecting the Dots: How financial intelligence units expose corrupt money flows and how they could do more](https://www.transparency.org/en/publications/connecting-the-dots) Publication • 24 June 2026 Financial intelligence units can play a key role in uncovering corruption, but only if they have the powers, resources and access to information they need. ## [Closing the Gaps: Detecting and investigating corrupt money flows in the Middle East and North Africa](https://www.transparency.org/en/publications/closing-the-gaps-middle-east-and-north-africa) Publication • 13 May 2026 Corruption and illicit financial flows remain serious and ongoing challenges across the Middle East and North Africa. ## [Into the light: Benchmarking beneficial ownership transparency frameworks across MENA](https://www.transparency.org/en/publications/into-the-light-benchmarking-beneficial-ownership-transparency-frameworks-mena) Publication • 13 November 2025 Across MENA, countries are reforming ownership transparency frameworks, but sustained progress depends on stronger implementation. ## [Policy Position 01/2005: Standards on political funding and favours](https://www.transparency.org/en/publications/policy-position-01-2005-standards-on-political-funding-and-favours) Publication • 15 January 2005 ## Priorities - [Asset recovery and the theft of public money](https://www.transparency.org/en/our-priorities/asset-recovery-and-the-theft-of-public-money) - [Dirty money](https://www.transparency.org/en/our-priorities/dirty-money) - [Foreign bribery enforcement](https://www.transparency.org/en/our-priorities/foreign-bribery-enforcement) ## Regions - [Global](https://www.transparency.org/en/region/global) ![Blue cover page of a position paper, reading: "Addressing corruption as driver of democratic decline"](https://images.transparencycdn.org/images/2021-Cover-Addressing-corruption-as-driver-of-democratic-decline-Summit-for-Democracy.jpg?auto=compress&fit=crop&fm=webp&w=1200) [Download](https://images.transparencycdn.org/images/2021-Addressing-corruption-as-driver-of-democratic-decline-Summit-for-Democracy-PositionPaper-EN.pdf)