The backsliding of democracy in the EU: an analysis on the perception of corruption in the Member States pre- and post-pandemic

One of the main obstacles the Rule of Law and democracy are currently facing – for which the Rule of Law is a necessary precondition – is corruption. However, this is a multicausal and complex phenomenon very difficult to measure and often substituted with perceptions-based indexes. This research wi...

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Main Authors: Marta Pérez-Gabaldón, Nuria Hernández-García, Carlos González-Tormo
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Taylor & Francis Group 2025-12-01
Series:Political Research Exchange
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/2474736X.2025.2497764
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author Marta Pérez-Gabaldón
Nuria Hernández-García
Carlos González-Tormo
author_facet Marta Pérez-Gabaldón
Nuria Hernández-García
Carlos González-Tormo
author_sort Marta Pérez-Gabaldón
collection DOAJ
description One of the main obstacles the Rule of Law and democracy are currently facing – for which the Rule of Law is a necessary precondition – is corruption. However, this is a multicausal and complex phenomenon very difficult to measure and often substituted with perceptions-based indexes. This research will dive into what affects the perception of corruption (CPI index) in the European Union pre (2019) and post (2021) pandemic. Literature willl be analised in order to establish the main economic and political factors that might be related to the perception of corruption and, following previous studies, will examine if there is anything that can be used as a predictor of higher levels of perception of corruption and what role the pandemic has had on them. The quantitative analysis made through model regressions and cluster analysis will construct relevant conclusions. In general and economical terms, it will show how relevant shadow economy is regarding the perception of corruption before and after COVID-19’s impact. In political terms, the variables influencing to the perception of corruption the most – ideology of the government and its party composition – will be replaced, following the impact of the pandemic, by the gender of the cabinet leadership.
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spelling doaj-art-b05042ff6abb4b6aa62f16ac066ccd8b2025-08-20T03:53:16ZengTaylor & Francis GroupPolitical Research Exchange2474-736X2025-12-017110.1080/2474736X.2025.2497764The backsliding of democracy in the EU: an analysis on the perception of corruption in the Member States pre- and post-pandemicMarta Pérez-Gabaldón0Nuria Hernández-García1Carlos González-Tormo2Cardenal Herrera - CEU, CEU Universities, Alfara del Patriarca, Valencia, SpainCardenal Herrera - CEU, CEU Universities, Alfara del Patriarca, Valencia, SpainCardenal Herrera - CEU, CEU Universities, Alfara del Patriarca, Valencia, SpainOne of the main obstacles the Rule of Law and democracy are currently facing – for which the Rule of Law is a necessary precondition – is corruption. However, this is a multicausal and complex phenomenon very difficult to measure and often substituted with perceptions-based indexes. This research will dive into what affects the perception of corruption (CPI index) in the European Union pre (2019) and post (2021) pandemic. Literature willl be analised in order to establish the main economic and political factors that might be related to the perception of corruption and, following previous studies, will examine if there is anything that can be used as a predictor of higher levels of perception of corruption and what role the pandemic has had on them. The quantitative analysis made through model regressions and cluster analysis will construct relevant conclusions. In general and economical terms, it will show how relevant shadow economy is regarding the perception of corruption before and after COVID-19’s impact. In political terms, the variables influencing to the perception of corruption the most – ideology of the government and its party composition – will be replaced, following the impact of the pandemic, by the gender of the cabinet leadership.https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/2474736X.2025.2497764Perception of corruptionEuropean UnionPandemicEconomic FactorsPolitical Factors
spellingShingle Marta Pérez-Gabaldón
Nuria Hernández-García
Carlos González-Tormo
The backsliding of democracy in the EU: an analysis on the perception of corruption in the Member States pre- and post-pandemic
Political Research Exchange
Perception of corruption
European Union
Pandemic
Economic Factors
Political Factors
title The backsliding of democracy in the EU: an analysis on the perception of corruption in the Member States pre- and post-pandemic
title_full The backsliding of democracy in the EU: an analysis on the perception of corruption in the Member States pre- and post-pandemic
title_fullStr The backsliding of democracy in the EU: an analysis on the perception of corruption in the Member States pre- and post-pandemic
title_full_unstemmed The backsliding of democracy in the EU: an analysis on the perception of corruption in the Member States pre- and post-pandemic
title_short The backsliding of democracy in the EU: an analysis on the perception of corruption in the Member States pre- and post-pandemic
title_sort backsliding of democracy in the eu an analysis on the perception of corruption in the member states pre and post pandemic
topic Perception of corruption
European Union
Pandemic
Economic Factors
Political Factors
url https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/2474736X.2025.2497764
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