This book deals with largescale systemic corruption a phenomenon that it identifies as part of the political landscape in most if not all societies of the contemporary world. While the analysis is grounded in the political thought of earlier thinkers especially Edmund Burke and integrates the insights of several modern analysts of corruption the volume offers a new updated theoretical perspective on the topic. This perspective reflects deep concerns with corruption in a world facing accelerated social transition increased economic polarization and growing distrust toward political elites in many countries. This book approaches corrupt practices both theoretically and empirically offering the perspectives of scholars who come to the topic from different traditions and cultures. It contains the collective efforts of members of the Research Committee on Political Finance and Public Corruption of the International Political Science Association. In formulating a comprehensive approach on corruption the volume offers insights in regard to new developments in the United States in Middle Eastern countries especially in the wake of the Arab Spring in several European counties Austria Italy Spain as well as in the Peoples Republic of China. The analysis goes beyond the traditional legal definitions of corruption or purely economic views of it and focuses more broadly on institutional cultural and normative dimensions of this globally important phenomenon. show more