Точка Синхронізації

Transparency International released its annual Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) on January 28, 2025, revealing that the United Kingdom and the United States have fallen to their lowest scores ever recorded in the global ranking. The report, which assesses 180 countries and territories based on expert and business perceptions of public sector corruption, highlights a significant decline in these major Western powers due to the systematic erosion of democratic checks and balances. This downward trajectory reflects a broader global crisis where established democracies are increasingly vulnerable to the influence of political donations and the targeting of civil society members. In the United Kingdom, the score fell to 68 out of 100, marking a consistent decline over the past several years. Analysts point to a "worrying trend" involving high-profile lobbying scandals, perceived "cash for access" arrangements, and a lack of transparency in political financing. The report suggests that the integrity of British public life is under strain, as the traditional mechanisms designed to hold leadership accountable are being bypassed or weakened by those in power. This shift has raised alarms among international observers who previously viewed the UK as a benchmark for anti-corruption standards. Simultaneously, the United States has faced its own set of challenges, resulting in a score that places it outside the top tier of the index's cleanest countries. The report identifies the undue influence of dark money in elections and the escalating polarization of the judicial system as primary drivers for this decline. Furthermore, the targeting of journalists and campaigners in both nations has signaled a retreat from democratic norms. Transparency International warns that when major economies like the US and UK backslide, it undermines global efforts to combat graft, as these nations lose the moral authority required to champion transparency on the international stage. Globally, the 2024 index paints a grim picture, with more than two-thirds of countries scoring below 50. The stagnating progress emphasizes that corruption flourishes where democratic institutions are weak and where the rule of law is applied inconsistently. For the US and UK, the path to recovery will require significant legislative reforms to address campaign finance and a renewed commitment to protecting the independence of the media and the judiciary, ensuring that public interest remains a priority over private gain.