The effectiveness of anti-corruption reforms in a region of Europe: the role of social empowerment

This research aims to ascertain whether a prevention of corruption policy that aligns with international consensus on corruption deterrence, developed at a critical juncture and employing a big bang approach, is an effective way to reduce perception of corruption. Stemming from the strategy implemented since 2015 in the Region of Valencia in Spain, a case of good practice according to the European Union, we formulate two hypotheses and, to test them, two surveys were employed. A structural equation model is postulated to analyze the hypothesized causal relationships among the various components of the corruption phenomenon. Furthermore, both the case study and conclusions were subjected to evaluation by six key stakeholders through a semi-structured interview script with open-ended questions to ensure consistency. The findings suggest that leveraging critical junctures with a holistic and disruptive anti-corruption policy can have a positive impact, provided it fosters social empowerment supported by an effective prevention and control of corruption system. Consequently, when more people demand integrity, the control system becomes more effective. This leads to higher levels of institutional trust and a decrease in corruption perception. This gives valuable ideas that can help create effective anti-corruption strategies in similar situations.