The article explores how the global corruption problem was shaped in the 1990s by historical events and state actions, rather than just non-state actors or the end of the Cold War. The researchers used sociological methods to analyze how key state agents influenced the international adoption of anti-corruption measures. They found that state actors played a significant role in defining and institutionalizing the corruption issue through strategic alliances and negotiations. By studying the process of claims-making, the researchers shed light on power dynamics and the creation of international norms.