Political corruption in the 19th century - a monographic study

• Applicant: Professor Dr. Jens Ivo Engels
• Subject Area: Modern and Contemporary History
• Term: from 2012 to 2018
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 229526364

The aim of the project is the composition of a monograph on the history of political corruption in modernising western societies between the 18th century and the 1930s. Focus will be as well on the corruption debates as well as on the debated practices of political patronage and networking ("Mikropolitik") in Germany, France, Britain, Italy, Spain and the United States. This will be the first comprehenive und transnationally designed book on the topic. It will analyse the relationship between micro-politics, criticism of corruption and modernity: First, the practices underwent and were part of modernising processes. Second, the charge of corruption proved to be an important reference for political modernity. According to its self-conception modern society should be able to overcome political corruption; its stage of development can be measured by the results of the fight against corruption. However, the fight never can be truly successful, because the fundamental dichotomy between individual gain and the public good, underlying the concept of corruption, could never be implemented in the social reality of politics. Several, internationally detectable waves of corruption debates contributed to regime change in Europe. The first wave accounted for the delegitimation of the Ancien Régime. At the end of the 19th century, similar effects can be detected with respect to the parliamentary systems of the time. Finally, the establishment of authoritarian regimes in the early 20th century profited from corruption debates.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants