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Corruption definitions and their implications for targeting natural resource corruption

31 July 2021
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Corruption definitions and their implications for targeting natural resource corruption

Main points

  • There is no universally accepted definition of corruption, but it is often defined in terms of individual actions that “abuse entrusted power for private gain.” Other ways of defining corruption reflect broader issues like who exercises power over natural resources, who is excluded, and how informal powers compete and interact with formal institutions. All of these definitions can be useful.
  • The assumptions practitioners make about “corruption” make a big difference for the responses they consider.
  • Natural resource management (NRM) and conservation outcomes are affected by extensive networks of power and decision making that need comprehensive, multi- level responses. Sector-specific, systemic definitions of corruption emphasize this need.
  • Practitioners should start by understanding the forms of corruption that affect their objectives, the different ways corruption is perceived, and the range of formal and informal factors that shape the opportunities and constraints on responses.

Cite this publication


Williams, A. (2021) Corruption definitions and their implications for targeting natural resource corruption. Topic Brief | August 2021, U4 Anti-Corruption Resource Centre, Chr. Michelsen Institute

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About the author

Aled Williams is a political scientist and senior researcher at Chr. Michelsen Institute and a principal adviser at the U4 Anti-Corruption Resource Centre. He is responsible for U4's thematic work on corruption in natural resources and energy, and holds a PhD from SOAS, University of London, on political ecology of REDD+ in Indonesia.

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All views in this text are the author(s)’, and may differ from the U4 partner agencies’ policies.

This work is licenced under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International licence (CC BY-NC-ND 4.0)

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Photo: Andre Dib / WWF-Brazil COPYRIGHTED