ABSTRACT
This chapter addresses the following research question: which factors explain the similarities and differences between international anti-corruption agreements? It argues that diffusion processes are subject to scope conditions: international organizations adopt binding agreements if their members want to signal their anti-corruption credentials to domestic constituents, within the group of member states, or to external audiences such as international donors. Factor in the promotion of anti-corruption was a change in expert opinion, particularly regarding the detrimental effects of corruption on developing countries. Transparency International is often considered the key non-governmental organization in terms of advancing the anti-corruption agenda. The chapter aims to compare international anti-corruption agreements and explains the similarities and differences between them. Anti-corruption agreements present a mixed picture in terms of overall legalization. The chapter also presents the key concepts discussed in the subsequent chapters of this book.
