Corruption and its socio-legal dimension in the national and international context

The article is devoted to the analysis of corruption as a complex socio-legal phenomenon in both national and international contexts. It demonstrates that corruption combines the features of an unlawful act aimed at abusing public or official authority for private gain and a form of social deviance manifested in the erosion of the moral and ethical foundations of society. The differences between the definitions provided in the Law of Ukraine «On the Principles of Preventing and Combating Corruption» of 2011 and the current Law of Ukraine «On the Prevention of Corruption» of 2014 are emphasized. Both national and international legal regulations are examined, including the provisions of the United Nations Convention against Corruption, the Council of Europe conventions, OECD instruments, and other international mechanisms aimed at harmonizing standards and strengthening cross-border cooperation. Particular attention is paid to the social consequences of corruption – from deepening poverty and inequality to undermining public trust in the state, institutional degradation of government bodies, and the formation of legal nihilism. The article notes that under martial law, corruption risks, especially in the security and defense sectors, pose a direct threat to national security. Foreign experience is analyzed, demonstrating various models of the legal approach: from the absence of a general definition with a focus on specific crime elements to the development of comprehensive institutional mechanisms. It is established that Ukraine has created an extensive anti-corruption infrastructure (NACP, NABU, HACC) and a regulatory framework harmonized with international standards; however, its effectiveness depends on the presence of political will and the activity of civil society. It is argued that overcoming corruption is possible only through a combination of repressive, preventive, and educational measures, a change in public attitudes, and the formation of a culture of zero tolerance for corrupt practices. The article concludes that integrating national and international efforts in combating corruption is essential, as this phenomenon is recognized as a global threat whose eradication is possible only through coordinated action and comprehensive implementation of international standards into domestic law.