144. Peter Hain on liberation and corruption
From KickBack - The Global Anticorruption Podcast by KickBack
February 9, 2026 · 35 min
About this episode
Lord Peter Hain discusses the paradox of liberation movements succumbing to corruption after gaining power.
Why do liberation movements that fight for freedom so often succumb to corruption once in power? In this episode, Liz David-Barrett speaks with Lord Peter Hain about his new book Liberation and Corruption: Why Freedom Movements Fail. Drawing on his personal connection to South Africa's anti-apartheid struggle and examining cases from Nicaragua to India, Peter explores how movements that come to power with inspiring values end up replicating the corruption of their predecessors. The conversation examines the role of global finance, professional enablers, and neoliberal pressures in facilitating grand corruption, while also highlighting South Africa's remarkable ability to confront state capture through mechanisms like the Zondo Commission. Peter also reflects on what individuals can do to resist systemic corruption and the personal costs of standing up against it. Peter Hain- Liberation and Corruption: Why Freedom Movements Fail https://www.peterhain.uk/p/liberation-and-corruption-why-freedom
People in this episode
Guest: Lord Peter Hain
Topics covered
- corruption
- liberation movements
- politics
- global finance
- state capture
Keywords
- freedom movements
- South Africa
- anti-apartheid
- Zondo Commission
- systemic corruption
Mentioned in this episode
Products: Liberation and Corruption: Why Freedom Movements Fail
Books & works: Liberation and Corruption: Why Freedom Movements Fail.
Places: South Africa's, Nicaragua, India
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