Ergene, Boğaç A. Defining Corruption in the Ottoman Empire: Morality, Legality, and Abuse of Power in Premodern Governance. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2024. 320 Pages

Boğaç A. Ergene’s Defining Corruption in the Ottoman Empire provides a critical analysis of corruption in pre-modern Ottoman governance, examining its legal, moral, and political dimensions. Drawing on extensive primary source research, Ergene explores how corruption was perceived, debated, and regulated within Ottoman society. Rather than imposing modern definitions, he highlights alternative frameworks that shaped the interpretation of practices such as bribery and patronage.