What Is State Capture? Corruption Beyond Bribes

#StateCapture #Corruption #GlobalDevelopment Corruption is often discussed as a matter of bribes, scandals, and individual misconduct. But what happens when corruption becomes systemic, and when powerful political and business actors begin to reshape the rules, weaken institutions, and turn the state itself into an instrument of private power? In this conversation, Dan Banik speaks with Liz Dávid-Barrett, Professor of Governance and Integrity and Director of the Centre for the Study of Corruption at the University of Sussex, about state capture, democracy, development, inequality, and accountability. They discuss how state capture differs from petty corruption, why democracies can be hollowed out from within, and how political and business elites use patronage, public procurement, courts, banks, media, and accountability institutions to consolidate power. The conversation also explores “strategically divisive narratives” — the use of polarizing stories to distract citizens, weaken resistance, and protect captured systems. Drawing on examples from all around rhe world, this episode asks: How do states get captured? Why is capture so hard to reverse? And what role can journalists, judges, whistleblowers, civil society, donors, and citizens play in reclaiming public institutions? Guest: Liz Dávid-Barrett, University of Sussex Host: Dan Banik, In Pursuit of Development Subscribe: https://globaldevpod.substack.com/