Malé, Maldives — 27th August 2025
The Chairperson of Transparency International, François Valérian, has warned that rising corruption and democratic backsliding pose a severe threat not only to individual nations but also to the global economy. Speaking at a special lecture in Malé organized by Transparency Maldives, Valérian underscored the urgent need for civil society mobilization and stronger democratic safeguards to counter corruption.
Delivering his lecture titled “Democratic Backsliding and the Importance of Civil Society Mobilization to Sustain and Advance Anti-Corruption Efforts”, Valérian argued that corruption is increasingly global in nature, with illicit financial flows undermining democratic institutions and diverting wealth away from public good.
“We are fighting for a functioning economy, which also means a functioning democracy: where power is used for the benefit of people, not for the enrichment of a few,” he told the audience.
Concentration of Power and Secrecy
Valérian identified concentration of power and secrecy as the two main enablers of corruption. According to him, when governments or elites capture institutions, they often design justice systems to be inefficient or biased, ensuring that corruption goes unpunished.
He described this as an “extractive politics,” where political activity serves private enrichment rather than the public interest.
“History shows that wherever power is concentrated, corruption follows. We must defend the democratic distribution of power through separation of powers and transparency,” Valérian said.
The Global Economy of Corruption
Valérian also drew attention to what he called the “global economy of corruption.” He cited Transparency International’s estimates that over $1 trillion is lost to corruption globally each year, much of it laundered through offshore financial centers.
These illicit flows, he argued, do not fuel innovation or sustainable development but instead inflate real estate markets, destabilize economies, and worsen inequality.
“Instead of being invested in schools, healthcare, or climate action, these funds are channeled into secrecy jurisdictions and speculative markets, benefiting only intermediaries and elites,” he explained.
Valérian warned that such practices undermine the ability of countries to tackle pressing global challenges, including climate change and demographic transitions.
Civil Society and the Role of Media
Emphasizing solutions, Valérian called for stronger civil society mobilization and the protection of independent journalism.
“There is no democracy without free media and courageous journalists,” he said, noting that reporters worldwide are often harassed or criminalized for exposing corruption.
He added that citizens everywhere have a fundamental right to information, including how governments collect and spend public money, and how contracts are awarded. Such transparency, he argued, is key to building trust and accountability.
A Democracy for the Future
Acknowledging frustration in many countries where democracy appears to be failing, Valérian cautioned against turning to authoritarian “strongman” alternatives. He stressed that the solution is not to abandon democracy but to reimagine it for the future.
“The task before us is not to defend yesterday’s democracy, but to build the democracy of tomorrow—one that is inclusive, transparent, and responsive to citizens’ concerns,” he said.
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