Korruption – Wenn Eigennutz vor Gemeinwohl steht by Thomas and David Schirrmacher is a concise yet profoundly informative examination of corruption as a global, systemic problem. In clear and accessible language, the book unpacks how corruption harms societies at every level – from local communities to international development – and why it should concern us all. The authors blend insights from theology, sociology, law, and politics to illuminate corruption’s roots and repercussions, offering readers both a sweeping overview and practical strategies to combat this scourge. This well-structured analysis is especially pertinent to current European debates on the rule of law and democratic accountability, grounded in Thomas Schirrmacher’s extensive experience in international human rights advocacy.
Right from the outset, Korruption emphasizes that corruption is neither a private matter nor a mere peccadillo, but a life-and-death issue with global reach. The book vividly illustrates how bribery and fraud can turn deadly – for instance, when substandard parts are installed in airplanes or funds meant for the hungry are siphoned off, resulting in real harm to ordinary people. Such examples drive home the point that everyone is affected by corruption’s ripple effects, even if indirectly, and the poorest of the poor suffer the most when public resources for essentials like drinking water, food, or medicine are stolen or misallocated. Backed by sobering data, the authors highlight systemic dimensions: over a trillion dollars flow into corrupt channels every year, according to World Bank estimates, while a fraction of that sum could lift the world’s poorest out of extreme poverty. They note that in major projects even in well-governed countries, corruption can inflate costs by 10–25% on average. Despite handling such weighty statistics and cases, the writing remains remarkably approachable, aiming to inform the lay reader without overwhelming. The result is a book that delivers depth with clarity – painting a global panorama of corruption’s forms and effects in under 112 pages, yet doing so in a way that an interested citizen or student of public affairs can easily grasp in a few hours’ reading.
One of the book’s greatest strengths is its integration of diverse perspectives – theological, sociological, legal, and political – into a unified analysis. This breadth reflects the authors’ own backgrounds. Thomas Schirrmacher is a theologian and renowned human rights advocate, while David Schirrmacher is a business economist, and together they explain “why corruption harms us all, what Christian ethics has to say about it, and what can be done about it”. Such a collaboration yields a holistic approach: for example, the text discusses moral and theological principles (like integrity and the Biblical view on corruption) alongside political science concepts such as power abuse and separation of powers as safeguards. It examines the sociological and cultural facets of corruption, exploring how it manifests in different historical and cultural contexts, and also delves into the legal dimension, surveying anti-corruption laws and conventions. By weaving these threads together, the Schirrmachers manage to address corruption not just as an abstract evil, but as a multi-faceted societal challenge. Readers gain an understanding of how personal ethics and religious values, sound laws, accountable governance, and social norms all intersect in either enabling or restraining corrupt behavior. This interdisciplinary blend is presented in an accessible manner – complex theological or legal concepts are explained in plain terms, keeping the content grounded and relevant for a broad readership interested in public ethics.
The book’s organized methodology greatly enhances its usefulness. Part of the “Kurz und Bündig” (Short and Concise) series, it is intentionally structured so that a reader can obtain a comprehensive overview within a short time. The Schirrmachers begin by defining corruption and identifying who is affected, ensuring that readers share a common understanding of terms. They then provide a succinct historical and cultural contextualization, showing how corruption has been viewed and practiced from feudal times to the modern era, across different societies. From there, the authors survey corruption’s presence in various sectors – politics, business, and civil society – with over a hundred brief examples illustrating cases ranging from local nepotism to grand international scandals. Each example, whether the Lockheed bribery affair or a municipal “machine” in Europe, is used to distill broader lessons about systemic flaws and human nature.
Crucially, the book doesn’t stop at analysis; it examines the tangible consequences (such as economic damage, erosion of trust, and human suffering) and reviews the legal frameworks and governance measures in place to tackle corruption. International agreements like the UN Convention Against Corruption and domestic anti-bribery laws are touched upon, giving readers a sense of the tools available to societies. The authors discuss strategies of good governance – for example, how transparency, checks and balances, and a free press act as antidotes to corruption’s poison. A notable inclusion is a chapter from a Biblical perspective, where they explore corruption through the lens of Christian ethics. This section isn’t preachy but serves to reinforce universal ethical imperatives (honesty, justice, stewardship) that undergird anti-corruption norms across cultures. Finally, the book concludes with practical recommendations and further reading. The advice is concrete, ranging from how individuals can resist everyday small-scale corruption dilemmas, to how policymakers and citizens’ movements can press for greater accountability. By combining factual information, ethical discussion, and actionable steps, the Schirrmachers provide not just a diagnosis of the corruption problem, but a toolkit of ideas and solutions – an approach that readers interested in reform will find highly valuable.
Cover of the book Korruption – Wenn Eigennutz vor Gemeinwohl steht (2014 German edition; also published in English as Corruption: When Self-Interest Comes before the Common Good, 2019). The authors structure the book to cover definitions, real-world examples, historical context, legal frameworks, and ethical reflections, all within a short volume.
The publication of this book feels especially timely and pertinent to ongoing debates within the European Union on governance and the rule of law. Corruption is not a distant “developing world” issue; it is very much a European concern as well, a point the authors make by including numerous German and European examples alongside global ones. Recent events have only underscored this reality – for instance, the European Parliament’s “Qatargate” scandal in 2022 revealed how even EU institutions can be susceptible to corrupt influence. Korruption equips readers with a framework to understand such incidents beyond the headlines: it contextualizes why robust anti-corruption measures are essential for defending democracy and the rule of law. Indeed, the European Union itself has explicitly recognized this connection. The EU’s very first Rule of Law Report in 2020 underscored that anti-corruption measures are one of the four pillars of upholding the rule of law (alongside an independent judiciary, media pluralism, and institutional checks and balances). The authors’ emphasis on transparency, accountability, and separation of powers aligns closely with these pillars, effectively reinforcing EU priorities with detailed argumentation and evidence.
Furthermore, Korruption speaks to European development and foreign policy concerns. As the book highlights, corruption’s toll on economies and societies is colossal – it costs the EU economy an estimated €120 billion annually, and it gravely undermines development efforts worldwide by diverting resources and deepening inequality. These insights resonate with the EU’s stance that promoting the rule of law and good governance is not just a moral imperative but a practical necessity for sustainable development and security. European readers attuned to debates on conditionality of EU funds, anti-fraud mechanisms, or aid effectiveness will find in this book a compelling ethical and empirical case for those policies. The Schirrmachers effectively frame corruption as an enemy of public trust and social justice – echoing the sentiment that “corruption erodes democracy, undermines trust in public institutions, and deprives citizens of the services they deserve”. By doing so, the book bolsters the arguments of reformers within Europe who call for stricter enforcement of integrity standards both at home and in the EU’s partnerships abroad. In short, this critique makes it clear that Korruption – Wenn Eigennutz vor Gemeinwohl steht is not just about far-flung bribery cases; it is deeply relevant to Europe’s own house, urging vigilance and collective action in the face of corruption.
Adding to the book’s impact is the credibility and passion that the authors bring to the subject. Thomas Schirrmacher, in particular, is not only a scholar but also a veteran practitioner on the front lines of human rights and good governance advocacy. He serves as the President of the International Council of the International Society for Human Rights and the Director of the International Institute for Religious Freedom, among other roles. Over decades, Schirrmacher has been deeply involved in efforts to defend persecuted minorities, promote religious freedom, and advise organizations like the World Evangelical Alliance on ethics and justice. This extensive international human rights work permeates the book’s perspective. One senses that the authors write with a moral urgency and informed conviction – likely influenced by seeing firsthand how corruption and human rights abuses often go hand in hand. Thomas Schirrmacher’s background lends the book a distinctive authority: when he discusses corruption’s corrosive effect on the rule of law or its impact on the poorest communities, he does so with the gravitas of someone who has campaigned globally for accountability and witnessed the stakes in person. European Times readers, many of whom care about public ethics and international affairs, will appreciate that the critique offered in Korruption is not just academic. It is rooted in real-world experience and a genuine commitment to the common good.
It’s also worth noting that David Schirrmacher’s contribution – as a younger entrepreneur with a business background – complements Thomas’s humanitarian outlook. This blend of perspectives means the analysis is both principled and pragmatic. For example, the book might reference ethical teachings, yet it also understands the corporate and economic mechanisms by which corruption operates, and it suggests actionable solutions that involve both values and incentives. Such a balanced approach enhances the book’s credibility: readers get the sense that the authors are keenly aware of practical realities (from boardrooms to government agencies) while holding firm to an ethical vision. This balance keeps the tone of the book (and this review) inquisitive and dignified – the authors probe complex questions (e.g. what truly drives people toward corrupt behavior despite moral teachings and laws?) without descending into cynicism or moralizing. Instead, they maintain a thoughtful, solution-oriented stance throughout.
In summary, Korruption – Wenn Eigennutz vor Gemeinwohl steht is a remarkably rich yet accessible book that succeeds in illuminating the dark phenomenon of corruption from all sides. Thomas and David Schirrmacher have crafted a work that is as informative as it is thought-provoking, adeptly bridging the gap between scholarly analysis and public discourse. Readers of The European Times – especially those passionate about governance, human rights, and ethics in the public sphere – will find this book review relevant and the book itself an enlightening read. Korruption not only deepens our understanding of how and why corruption thrives, but also energizes the conversation on what can be done to curb it, calling each of us to consider our role in upholding the common good over narrow self-interest. In an era when Europe is striving to reinforce democratic values and the rule of law, the lessons from this book resonate powerfully: corruption is everyone’s problem, and combating it is integral to securing justice, trust, and prosperity for our societies. This message – delivered with clarity, structured insight, and moral authority – makes Korruption a valuable contribution to the literature on ethics and public policy. It is a call to vigilance and integrity that transcends its concise format, leaving a lasting impression long after the final page.
