The Selective Pursuit of 'Anticorruption'
When Transparency International (TI) declares that the average global score in its Corruption Perception Index (CPI) has hit its lowest point in over a decade ( Transparency International, 2025 ), it presents a picture of widespread decay. The Al Jazeera article echoes this concern, quoting TI's warning against worsening corruption in 'democracies around the world.' This framing invites us to view
corruption as an inherent flaw within a system, rather than a symptom of specific power dynamics and strategic interests. CASE A: The Spotlight on 'Developing Democracies' Mainstream media and international bodies, including the US State Department and organizations like USAID, frequently highlight corruption in nations deemed 'developing democracies' or those considered strategically
recalcitrant. Take, for instance, reporting on countries in Latin America or Africa. When a leader like Evo Morales in Bolivia faces allegations of corruption, the Western press often amplifies these claims, even when the evidence is contested or the allegations emerge during periods of political instability. The 2019 OAS report, which fueled the narrative against Morales following the disputed
elections, was instrumental in his ousting—an event many critics, including MIT and the Center for Economic and Policy Research, later labeled a coup rooted in flawed data ( CEPR, 2019 ). CASE B: The Immunity of Geopolitical Allies Conversely, critical allies, particularly those with significant geostrategic importance or close ties to powerful Western states, often receive a muted response to