Corruption remains one of the greatest challenges for modern societies, negatively affecting governance, economic development, and social cohesion. It is often defined as the abuse of entrusted power for private gain, but in practice, it manifests in far more complex forms, ranging from small-scale bribes to state capture and the distortion of public policies. International reports from Transparency International, the World Bank, and the European Commission indicate that corruption is not merely a moral or legal problem, but a complex phenomenon that undermines fair competition, hinders investment, and erodes citizens’ trust in institutions. Its nature is both structural and multifaceted. Corruption is often linked to weak institutions, lack of transparency and accountability, and the absence of strong checks and balances. In countries with fragile institutions, it becomes a vicious cycle: the more widespread it is, the more it undermines the foundations of the rule of law, making it difficult to separate public interest from private gain. For this reason, measuring and monitoring corruption is not a simple task; it requires a combination of quantitative data and analyses of perceptions, behaviors, and social practices that accompany it.
At the global level, efforts to combat corruption have taken various forms, ranging from national anti-corruption strategies and institutional reforms to international monitoring mechanisms and political pressure. However, results have often been uneven. Experience shows that the most visible successes are achieved where the fight against corruption goes beyond legal frameworks and becomes a comprehensive process engaging civil society, the media, businesses, and citizens themselves. This demonstrates that corruption is not merely a matter of sanctions, but a phenomenon that requires both cultural and institutional transformation.
In this context, Albania represents a particularly significant case study. Recent reports from the European Commission emphasize that corruption remains a major concern for Albanian citizens and one of the primary obstacles to the European integration process. Transparency International’s Corruption Perceptions Index ranks Albania among the most affected countries in the region, while the Western Balkans Barometer of the Regional Cooperation Council shows that Albanian citizens’ perception of corruption prevalence is the highest in the Western Balkans.
These findings not only highlight the scale of the phenomenon but also underscore its role as a factor influencing public trust and how citizens perceive a functioning democracy. Although the reforms undertaken, such as the Justice Reform and the establishment of new institutions like SPAK and the National Bureau of Investigation, have created high expectations, their concrete effects are still limited in public perception. Many citizens continue to believe that corruption is widespread at the highest levels of politics and public administration, fueling a sense of a “culture of impunity.” This situation makes systematic and impartial monitoring of the phenomenon essential, as well as the development of evidence-based policies and accurate measurements that can help break this cycle.
