Reputation laundering at the scale of nation-state: state crime and kleptocratic regimes

Abstract

The state crime literature draws on the types of denial and neutralisation techniques used to explain states’ responses to crime. The works of Becker, Green and Ward, Sykes and Matza, and Cohen offer valuable conceptual frameworks into the processes of stigmatisation and denial to justify or neutralise crime. However, recent evidence increasingly reveals that states rather use creative ways of denial by building a new identity to counteract public perceptions of corruption and human rights abuse. This form of denial is motivated by past or present crimes, aiming to overcome the associated stigma and allegations by aggressively amplifying positive narratives. This innovative approach to ‘tackling’ stigma of crime by weaponising techniques of reputation laundering can meaningfully contribute to the state crime literature as well as enrich existing discussions on reputation laundering.

Existing scholarly works on reputation laundering fall short in investigating the performative efforts pursued by clandestine, authoritarian and kleptocratic regimes. Furthermore, the existing studies focus on reputation laundering at the level of individual kleptocrats, whereas this thesis employs the state as the primary unit of analysis. It argues that rather subtle practicesof ceremonial consecration can condone state crimes, obscure objective truths by engineering and reinforcing dominant official discourse, while simultaneously suppressing uncomfortabletruths. This technique is distinctive from the methods employed in reputation laundering at an individual level, which primarily utilise professional services built on transactional relationships. The thesis establishes that in their endeavours, kleptocratic states do not operate in isolation but are substantially supported by networks of national and international facilitators. These enablers include technocratic elites from international financial institutions such as the World Bank, EBRD, ADB, and UN agencies, who participate in grandiose ceremonies and influential global forums. Utilising Uzbekistan as a case study, the thesisinvestigates these campaigns, the core stakeholders and prevailing discourses to comprehend the mechanisms through which the state carries out its reputation laundering campaigns. It seeks to contribute to the literature both on reputation laundering by investigating the phenomenon at the state level, and on state crime by offering novel insights into techniques of denial.

Thesis is embargoed until 31 October 2027

Date of Award	Oct 2025
Original language	English
Sponsors	Department for the Economy
Supervisor	Dawid Stanczak (Supervisor), Khanyisela Moyo (Supervisor) & Kristian Lasslett (Supervisor)