Corruption and the Secret of Law (Law, Justice and Power)

This volume presents a critical anthropological perspective on the hidden continuities between corruption and law. The authors argue that the two opposites, corruption and law, are inextricably linked, the possibility of the former already inscribed into the latter. The book takes a critical stance towards the normative good governance agenda spearheaded by institutions such as Transparency International and the World Bank. It is argued that by uncritically depicting corruption as an absolute evil these anti-corrutption programs disregard the close relationship that exists between corruption and state power."Corruption and the Secret of Law" addresses various aspects of a complex and ambivalent phenomenon drawing on studies from different parts of the world including Burundi, China, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Mexico and the USA. The work provides a valuable resource for students, researchers and policy-makers working in this area.