This open access book examines the intricate connection between family and corruption within both the realms of business and public administration. While corruption is conventionally characterized as a socially harmful and ethically wrong phenomenon, and family is typically viewed as fundamental to social cohesion, this book argues that these constructs frequently intersect in real-life situations. Kinship ties often function not solely as sources of emotional solidarity but also as channels facilitating illicit transactions and resource misappropriation. From minor nepotism to large-scale state capture, family relationships frequently shape how corruption is organized, justified, and sustained. Drawing on interdisciplinary theories and case material, this book develops a much-needed theory of family corruption. By challenging the conventional dichotomy that segregates family from formal institutions, the analysis reveals how familial obligations can supersede universalistic norms, thereby embedding corruption deeply within the everyday moral and social order.

Autorentext

David Jancsics is Professor at the School of Public Affairs of San Diego State University, USA. He received his Ph.D. in Sociology from the Graduate Center of the City University of New York. He consults with international organizations such as the United Nations, European Commission, U4 Anti-Corruption Resource Centre, and Transparency International. He was a Fulbright US Scholar to Hungary for the 2024 25 academic year.

Inhalt

1. Family and Corruption.- 2. Family and Public Contracts: The Gelatinous System in Italy.- 3. Mother-in-law in the Highway Project: The Odebrecht-Toledo Case in Peru.- 4. Helping a Relative Who is also a Smuggler: Corruption at the US-Mexico Border.- 5. The Role of Family in State Capture: The Case of Hungary.- 6. Theory and Practice.