OECD Outlines Systematic Corruption and State Capture Methods

The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development defines state capture as a systematic form of corruption where narrow interest groups seize control of public policy institutions. This process allows these groups to redirect the common good toward private interests by manipulating laws, contracts, and judicial appointments to favor loyalists or specific businesses.

The phenomenon manifests through several distinct models. Elite capture occurs when specific groups dominate development projects, while corporate or oligarchic capture is exemplified by the influence the Gupta brothers exerted over the South African government during the presidency of Jacob Zuma. Kleptocratic capture is illustrated by the bribery networks established by Vladimiro Montesinos under the regime of Alberto Fujimori in Peru. Additionally, narco and criminal capture involve illicit enterprises corrupting security officials, as seen with former British Virgin Islands premier Andrew Fahie.

To combat these self-protecting systems, the organization recommends increasing transparency in lobbying and political finance. Other proposed safeguards include the protection of whistleblowers and ensuring the total independence of the judiciary and criminal investigators.