ABSTRACT
In this chapter, Teddy Winn discusses security cooperation to combat corruption, demonstrating the challenges of defining security and raising the question of where political security fits within the nexus of governance and security. Winn describes corruption as a ‘crisis of governance’ and a complex non-traditional security issue. Corruption is not commonly discussed within broader regional security, outside the 2021 Forum Special Leader’s Meeting, and as such, Winn argues that the Pacific has not clearly defined (or contextualised) the governance needs and aspirations of the Pacific Islands and the expectations of external partners in this space. Indeed, Winn outlines how, while corruption is a global concern, there is no single approach to addressing it in the Pacific Islands. Winn also notes the complexities of those who make, and are expected to implement, national decisions to combat corruption are also those who may be implicated in corruption itself. Winn’s chapter crystallises the challenge of defining security, as it raises the challenge of where political security fits within the nexus of governance and security. It also highlights how the regional preference – including in the Pacific Islands Forum – for domestic non-inference can challenge efforts to address challenges such as corruption.
