The Role of International Pressure in Domestic Anti-Corruption Reform: Lessons from the IMF Era

Abstract

International organizations often influence domestic anti-corruption reforms through conditionalities and technical assistance. This paper examines the role of international pressure, focusing on the International Monetary Fund’s (IMF) influence on Indonesia’s anti-corruption policies during the post-Asian Financial Crisis period. Using policy analysis, archival research, and interviews with policymakers and international actors, the study assesses how IMF-driven reforms shaped institutional development, governance practices, and political will. The findings suggest that while international pressure accelerated reform efforts and introduced important governance norms, its effectiveness was mediated by domestic political dynamics and institutional capacities. The paper contributes to the global debate on the interaction between international governance regimes and national reform processes, emphasizing the importance of contextualizing external pressures within local political realities to achieve sustainable anti-corruption outcomes.