This dissertation argues that the IFIs’ understanding of corruption, and thus their anticorruption and good governance policies and prescriptions, is based on the conceptualisation of corruption as a state centric phenomenon. As such, they are not concerned with corruption as a systematic problem. The IFIs’ definitions and views, although legitimate, prudent, and legal, are actually the road to ineffectiveness. But broader and more effective policies would require the IFIs to delve into domestic politics. Such political involvement would entail a great deal of risk on their part, and would be beyond their mandate and their appetite. In order to demonstrate this, this dissertation presents an overview of political corruption and the important role of the party in both the causes and consequences of systematic political corruption. The focus is on the relationship between the political party and the various systems of governance. The case of the ANC in South Africa is used to analyse whether an understanding of political corruption is necessary.

Includes bibliographical references.

Includes abstract.