New journal article by SOC ACE researchers, David Lewis and Tena Prelec in Public Integrity

Academic journal, Public Integrity, has published research by Prof David Lewis and Dr Tena Prelec, titled ‘Corruption and Revisionism: The Role of Illicit Finance in Russian Foreign Policy’, which draws on their work under the multi-year SOC ACE research project, Illicit Finance and Russian Foreign Policy: New dynamics and linkages’.

This article examines the role that illicit economic activities play in Russian foreign policy. It finds that while economic resources are not the main driver of Russian foreign policy, they are important tools for implementing it. Resources acquired through illicit activities support Russia’s use of information and propaganda to influence citizens in other countries. Russian officials set the main goals for these activities, but private individuals and businesses also play an important role. In some cases, private individuals and Russian officials work together, but in other cases, private individuals act independently. The study concludes that resources from illicit activities help Russia to undermine international rules and the rules-based international order.

Read the Open Access article here and visit the SOC ACE project page to find SOC ACE publications, podcasts, media coverage and much more.