How to cite this publication:

David Jackson, Sarah Tobin, Jennifer Philippa Eggert (2019). Capacity building for politicians in contexts of systemic corruption: Countering ‘wasta’ in Jordan. Bergen: Chr. Michelsen Institute (U4 Issue 2019:9)

The design of one common integrity-building intervention – capacity building for politicians – can be adapted to respond effectively to systemic forms of corruption. In the context of Jordan, systemic corruption is often bound up in the concept known as ‘wasta’ – a practice of exchanging favours. Wasta is difficult to counter with capacity-building programmes that seek to strengthen conventional anti-corruption frameworks. Alternative strategies may challenge the incentives and norms that sustain the system of corruption.

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