Peter EigenEdit

Peter Eigen is a German economist and anti-corruption advocate best known for co-founding Transparency International in 1993. A veteran of the World Bank, he argued that corruption is a fundamental obstacle to development and that transparent, accountable institutions are essential to economic growth and political stability. Through TI, Eigen helped promote a global agenda that ties governance reforms to improved investment climates and democratic legitimacy.

Early life and career

Eigen built a career in international development, working within the World Bank and related institutions. His work centered on governance, financial management, and institutional reform in developing economies. This professional background shaped his view that credible public institutions—characterized by transparency and accountability—are prerequisites for sustained growth and lasting poverty reduction.

Founding of Transparency International

In the early 1990s, Eigen and a coalition of researchers, non-governmental organizations, and donors established Transparency International in Berlin. The organization grew into a network of national chapters that advocate for open government, accountable public administration, and anti-corruption reforms. One of TI’s most influential instruments is the Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI), which ranks countries by perceived levels of corruption and has become a benchmark used by policymakers, investors, and civil society.

Mission and approach

TI’s work rests on the premise that corruption undermines trust in government, distorts markets, and undermines the rule of law. Its emphasis on transparency, citizen participation, and independent oversight aligns with broader ideas of Good governance and the Rule of law. The organization has supported reforms in public procurement, financial transparency, and the creation of anti-corruption agencies, arguing that verifiable data and public accountability spur better governance outcomes.

Global footprint

Through a global network of chapters and programs, TI has played a central role in pushing anti-corruption onto the international development agenda. Its advocacy has influenced policy debates around governance, governance-related aid conditions, and the political economy of reform in many countries.

Controversies and debates

Eigen’s legacy, and TI’s broader influence, has generated debate. Proponents argue that raising the visibility of corruption and promoting transparent institutions leads to stronger growth, better governance, and civic empowerment. Critics point to concerns about how corruption indices are constructed, the potential for Western norms to dominate reform agendas, and the risk that anti-corruption campaigns can be used to justify external pressure or selective interventions in sovereign affairs.

  • Measurement and interpretation: The CPI relies on perceptions and expert assessments, which some observers say can reflect biases, scans of media narratives, or the influence of external actors as much as actual corruption levels. Critics contend that relying on perceptions may obscure structural factors such as state capacity, conflict, or the distributional consequences of reform.
  • Policy leverage and governance reform: While many see TI’s work as a spur for better governance, others worry that anti-corruption rhetoric can be used to advance political or economic agendas under the banner of reform, sometimes at the expense of deeper development challenges or local contexts.
  • Governance within non-governmental organizations: As with many international NGOs, TI has faced scrutiny about governance, funding sources, and the independence of its programs. Proponents emphasize the importance of diverse funding to sustain advocacy, while skeptics warn about potential donor influence on priorities.

In analyzing these debates, scholars and practitioners often emphasize that anti-corruption work functions best when paired with robust economic growth policies, rule-of-law reforms, and genuine local ownership of reform processes. The right balance is seen by many as essential to ensuring that anti-corruption efforts support broad development goals rather than simply producing symbolic measurements or external pressure.

Later work and influence

Eigen has remained active in governance and anti-corruption circles, advising philanthropic and research organizations and contributing to discussions on how governance reforms can be aligned with development objectives. His work helped embed transparency and accountability as core considerations in development policy, influencing how governments, donors, and international institutions think about building trustworthy institutions. The ongoing use of tools such as the CPI and the continued global reach of Transparency International reflect his lasting impact on the governance discourse.

See also