THE ROLE OF ANTI-CORRUPTION POLICY IN THE NATIONAL SECURITY SYSTEM OF POST-SOCIALIST STATES

Abstract

The article examines the role of anti-corruption policy within the national security systems of Southeast European states, using the cases of Romania, Croatia, and Bulgaria. The relevance of the study is determined by the transformation of perceptions of corruption in contemporary states, where it is increasingly viewed not only as a legal or economic problem but also as a factor affecting the effectiveness of public administration, political stability, and institutional resilience. This issue has become particularly significant in the context of contemporary security challenges associated with the COVID-19 pandemic, growing geopolitical instability, and the full-scale Russian-Ukrainian war. The purpose of the study is to determine the place and role of anti-corruption policy in ensuring the national security of post-socialist states. The research analyses the specific features of the formation and development of anti-corruption policies in Romania, Croatia, and Bulgaria from the beginning of post-socialist transformations to the present day. It was established that in all three countries, the spread of corruption was closely linked to processes of economic liberalisation, privatisation, and the institutional weakness of the state apparatus during the transition period. The study identifies European integration processes and the European Union’s requirements regarding the rule of law as important drivers of anti-corruption reforms. The findings demonstrate that Romania achieved the most notable results through the activities of the National Anticorruption Directorate (DNA) and the strengthening of the independence of specialised anti-corruption institutions. In Croatia, a key role was played by the activities of the Office for the Suppression of Corruption and Organised Crime (USKOK) and the adaptation of public policies to European standards. The Bulgarian experience illustrates the difficulties of combating systemic corruption in the context of persistent political patronage networks and state capture practices. The study concludes that all three countries have experienced a gradual expansion in the understanding of corruption—from a criminal justice issue to a complex threat to national security. Corruption is increasingly perceived as a factor influencing political stability, the quality of governance, public trust, and the state’s capacity to respond effectively to internal and external challenges. The experiences of Romania, Croatia, and Bulgaria demonstrate that effective anti-corruption policy constitutes an essential component of state resilience and national security under contemporary conditions.