The Institutional Position of Anti-Corruption Agencies: An Ongoing Discussion

Abstract

The paper analyzes the institutional models for combating corruption in comparative perspective, identifying different designs of anti-corruption agencies (multi-purpose, law enforcement, or the development of preventive policies), dependent in some cases the executive branch and other institutionally placed under the jurisdiction of the Legislature or the Judiciary, or even configured as an extra- power authority. The article begins with the assumption that the effectiveness of the backbone of the anti-corruption agencies function is conditioned by the location and position they occupy in the state structure; and it concludes on the need to consider such a relationship when designing such agencies.