With the broad recognition of corruption as an impediment to the development of stable states, the discourse on anti-corruption strategies has become an important component in both, the academic debate as well as in programs of development organisations. However, reflection and evidence on the proposed positive effect of anti-corruption reforms in situations of post-conflict statebuilding is lacking. This PhD project positions itself at the interconnection between research on corruption and statebuilding and contributes to shed light on the conceptual and causal connection between anti-corruption agencies and post-conflict statebuilding. In order to elaborate the causal connection between anti-corruption agencies and statebuilding, a mixed-method approach will be applied. First, the effect of anti-corruption agencies (ACAs) on corruption in post-conflict states will be quantitatively analysed. In a second step, applying an actor-centred institutionalist approach ACAs will be conceptualised in terms of their effectiveness which is influenced by different actors involved in anti-corruption reforms. It is hypothesised that the impact of ACAs on state institutions is contingent on a sustained track record of effectiveness and independence which, in turn, will be possible only if the ACA enjoys adequate political support from key constituencies. In the third phase of this research project, on the basis of in-depth case studies the causal inference of ACAs on statebuilding is elaborated with a particular focus on context-specific factors. The expected results will contribute to reinforce the scientific evidence based discourse on anti-corruption agencies in post-conflict states. These results are also highly relevant for practitioners, as they enhance their basis for decisions for the development of context-sensitive anti-corruption and statebuilding strategies.
