Annotation

In the conditions of the modern society, when gifting and gift exchange traditions are deeply rooted in cultural codes, it becomes important to analyze legal mechanisms regulating this matter in order to prevent any manifestations of corruption. Today, strict norms are in effect in Russia prohibiting receipt of gifts associated with official duties, which corresponds to the international practice: for example, in the USA, Ireland, and CIS member states, there are limits and restrictions in terms of value and types of gifts aimed at prevention of corruption. Legislative initiatives in the Russian Federation suggesting an increase in the admissible gift size raise discussions as they can reduce the effectiveness of anti-corruption measures and distort the essence of ethical norms. Symbolic gift value and its ethical perception are more important than its economic value, and a balance between cultural traditions and anti-corruption requirements is achieved through the establishment of reasonable, transparent, and ethically justified norms. A comparative analysis of legal approaches to regulation of gifting in Russia and abroad allows justifying legal framework effectiveness criteria that minimize corruption risks and consider cultural features to facilitate the development of trust of the society in public institutions and raise their transparency level.