Why "killing the tigers and swapping the flies" does not succeed : A multi-criteria analysis of the persistence of corruption in the People's Republic of China

This research focuses on corruption in the People’s Republic of China (PRC) and its persistence despite efforts to fight it, such as the persistent anti-corruption campaign launched by Xi Jinping in 2012. The study seeks to provide a deeper understanding of underlying reasons for the prevalence of corruption by addressing the following research question: Why does corruption in the People’s Republic of China prevail despite efforts to fight it? In order to assess this question, a single-case study is conducted on the basis of qualitative data. After reviewing relevant literature with respect to the theoretical roots of corruption, a set of preconditions for the effective reduction of corruption are established, which are then assessed for the case of the PRC. The anti-corruption campaigns are not expected to sustainably succeed, as long as the preconditions are not being met. The findings show that the PRC only meets two out of the eight established preconditions, which may account for the failure to reduce corruption in a long-run. Its scientific and societal relevance is conspicuous as it advances the comprehension of underlying reasons of corruption and moreover specifically in the context of the PRC, where corruption is perceived as a major issue.