Corruption risk as a structural driver of state fragility: examining the governance crisis in South Africa
IntroductionCorruption remains a critical governance challenge globally, yet its role in perpetuating state fragility is underexplored in political science literature. In the South African context, corruption extends beyond ethical or administrative failings, functioning as a structural disorder tha...
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Frontiers Media S.A.
2025-08-01
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| Series: | Frontiers in Political Science |
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| Online Access: | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpos.2025.1575693/full |
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| author | Nkosingiphile Mkhize Danielle Nel-Sanders |
| author_facet | Nkosingiphile Mkhize Danielle Nel-Sanders |
| author_sort | Nkosingiphile Mkhize |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | IntroductionCorruption remains a critical governance challenge globally, yet its role in perpetuating state fragility is underexplored in political science literature. In the South African context, corruption extends beyond ethical or administrative failings, functioning as a structural disorder that erodes institutional resilience, economic development, and political stability.MethodsThis study employs a thematic content analysis, integrating empirical evidence and governance risk frameworks to examine the systemic nature of corruption and its impact on state fragility.ResultsThe analysis identifies four key dimensions through which corruption exacerbates governance fragility: institutional weakening and bureaucratic dysfunction; economic stagnation and developmental failure; erosion of public trust and legitimacy; and the perpetuation of a corruption–fragility cycle. The findings reveal that corruption sustains a self-reinforcing dynamic that obstructs reform and deepens state vulnerability.DiscussionThe results underscore the necessity for comprehensive anti-corruption strategies that move beyond punitive measures. Strengthening institutional integrity, promoting economic diversification, and enhancing public accountability are crucial to breaking the corruption–fragility cycle. By framing corruption as a central determinant of political and economic instability in fragile states, this study contributes to advancing scholarship on governance, state resilience, and sustainable development. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-83e2276c6b2c4d009b9d56cf3cb38c83 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2673-3145 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-08-01 |
| publisher | Frontiers Media S.A. |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Frontiers in Political Science |
| spelling | doaj-art-83e2276c6b2c4d009b9d56cf3cb38c832025-08-26T05:28:09ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Political Science2673-31452025-08-01710.3389/fpos.2025.15756931575693Corruption risk as a structural driver of state fragility: examining the governance crisis in South AfricaNkosingiphile Mkhize0Danielle Nel-Sanders1Faculty of Humanities, North West University, Potchefstroom, South AfricaSchool of Public Policy, Governance and Public Policy, University of Johannesburg, Johannesburg, South AfricaIntroductionCorruption remains a critical governance challenge globally, yet its role in perpetuating state fragility is underexplored in political science literature. In the South African context, corruption extends beyond ethical or administrative failings, functioning as a structural disorder that erodes institutional resilience, economic development, and political stability.MethodsThis study employs a thematic content analysis, integrating empirical evidence and governance risk frameworks to examine the systemic nature of corruption and its impact on state fragility.ResultsThe analysis identifies four key dimensions through which corruption exacerbates governance fragility: institutional weakening and bureaucratic dysfunction; economic stagnation and developmental failure; erosion of public trust and legitimacy; and the perpetuation of a corruption–fragility cycle. The findings reveal that corruption sustains a self-reinforcing dynamic that obstructs reform and deepens state vulnerability.DiscussionThe results underscore the necessity for comprehensive anti-corruption strategies that move beyond punitive measures. Strengthening institutional integrity, promoting economic diversification, and enhancing public accountability are crucial to breaking the corruption–fragility cycle. By framing corruption as a central determinant of political and economic instability in fragile states, this study contributes to advancing scholarship on governance, state resilience, and sustainable development.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpos.2025.1575693/fullsystemic corruption riskSouth Africafragile statespublic sector risk managementcorruptiongovernance |
| spellingShingle | Nkosingiphile Mkhize Danielle Nel-Sanders Corruption risk as a structural driver of state fragility: examining the governance crisis in South Africa Frontiers in Political Science systemic corruption risk South Africa fragile states public sector risk management corruption governance |
| title | Corruption risk as a structural driver of state fragility: examining the governance crisis in South Africa |
| title_full | Corruption risk as a structural driver of state fragility: examining the governance crisis in South Africa |
| title_fullStr | Corruption risk as a structural driver of state fragility: examining the governance crisis in South Africa |
| title_full_unstemmed | Corruption risk as a structural driver of state fragility: examining the governance crisis in South Africa |
| title_short | Corruption risk as a structural driver of state fragility: examining the governance crisis in South Africa |
| title_sort | corruption risk as a structural driver of state fragility examining the governance crisis in south africa |
| topic | systemic corruption risk South Africa fragile states public sector risk management corruption governance |
| url | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpos.2025.1575693/full |
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